Islands

Used of the islands and coastlands of the eastern Mediterranean and, especially by Isaiah, as a more general term indicating distant nations that are called upon to respond to God. Several specific islands are mentioned in the NT.

The islands and coastlands of the Mediterranean

Isaiah 11:11 See also Isaiah 42:10, Isaiah 60:9; Jeremiah 2:10–11, Jeremiah 31:10; Ezekiel 26:15–18, Ezekiel 27:3–7; Daniel 11:18, Daniel 11:29–30

On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

Islands as a symbol of human insignificance before God

Isaiah 40:15–17

Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are considered a speck of dust on the scales; He lifts up the islands like fine dust. Lebanon is not sufficient for fuel, nor its animals enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness.

Islands as a symbol of distant nations

Nations who do not know God

Isaiah 66:19 See also Isaiah 41:1, Isaiah 49:1

I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from among them to the nations — to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations.

Nations who are not beyond God's law and judgment

Isaiah 59:18 See also Ezekiel 25:16–17, Ezekiel 39:6; Revelation 6:12–14, Revelation 16:17–20

So He will repay according to their deeds: fury to His enemies, retribution to His foes, and recompense to the islands.

Nations called to respond to God

Isaiah 42:10–12 See also Isaiah 24:15, Isaiah 42:4, Isaiah 51:4–5

Sing to the LORD a new song— His praise from the ends of the earth— you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them. Let the desert and its cities raise their voices; let the villages of Kedar cry aloud. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them cry out from the mountaintops. Let them give glory to the LORD and declare His praise in the islands.

Islands mentioned in the NT

Cos

Acts 21:1

Crete

Acts 27:7–26; Titus 1:5, Titus 1:12

Cyprus

Acts 4:36, Acts 11:19–21, Acts 13:4–12, Acts 15:39, Acts 21:16

Kios

Acts 20:15

Malta

Acts 27:39–28:11

Patmos

Revelation 1:9

Rhodes

Acts 21:1

Samos

Acts 20:15

Samothrace

Acts 16:11

Sicily

Acts 28:12 Syracuse was the leading city of Sicily.