Μελίτη
Melítē
G3194 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Melítē: a proper noun denoting the island named Melite, situated in the central Mediterranean Sea. In the context of early Christian literature, most prominently refers to the island upon which the apostle Paul was shipwrecked (Acts 28:1). The name functions specifically as a geographic designation and does not carry inherent semantic nuances beyond referring to the island itself.
Semantic Range
the island of Melite (Malta) in the Mediterranean, name of a specific island, toponym
Root / Etymology
etymology uncertain. The name Μελίτη is of uncertain origin and pre-Greek etymology is possible. Some ancient sources suggest a connection with the Greek word μέλι (meli, 'honey'), possibly referencing the island's association with honey or sweetness, but this is speculative and not linguistically substantiated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Μελίτη appears as a toponym in Acts 28:1, naming the island where Paul was shipwrecked. In ancient literature, there is historical ambiguity as to whether Μελίτη refers to modern Malta or to the island of Mljet (Meleda) off the Dalmatian coast, but consensus in New Testament scholarship identifies the island as present-day Malta. The term has no extended or figurative uses in Greek literature. English Bibles consistently transliterate the name as 'Melita' or render it as 'Malta' in modern translations. The word is not used beyond naming the island and does not carry distinct cultural, ethnic, or religious connotations.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain origin; Melita, an island in the Mediterranean:--Melita.
Root Family
Μελίτη (Melítē) — Melite, Mediterranean island, toponym
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3194-01 |
Μελίτη | melite | N NOM F SG |
Malta | Melite | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3194-01 |
Acts 28:1 | Μελίτη | melite | N NOM F SG |
Malta | Melite |