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νῆσος

nēsos

G3520 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An island; a tract of land surrounded by water. In Greek usage, this refers primarily to landmasses wholly encircled by sea or significant bodies of water, from small islets to large islands. In various contexts, it may be used for islands of the Mediterranean, Aegean, or wider Greco-Roman world, and can carry geographical, administrative, or literary associations.

Semantic Range

island, isle, landmass surrounded by water, (rarely) remote or separated region

Root / Etymology

From the root νῆσ-; etymologically, likely related to ναῦς (ship), perhaps originally describing land reached by ship (i.e., accessible only by sea). The development is native to Greek and attested from earliest sources. Cognate with Mycenaean Greek ne-so or nēso (Linear B: ni-so), showing deep archaic roots.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term νῆσος is common from Homeric Greek onward and is broadly employed throughout Classical and Koine literature. In the Septuagint, it translates Hebrew אִי (’iy, 'coastland' or 'island'), though sometimes the semantic overlap between 'island' and 'coastland/remote place' creates ambiguity. The New Testament uses νῆσος in standard, geographic sense to denote actual islands (e.g., Malta in Acts 28:1). Unlike islets or rocks (πέτρα), νῆσος typically denotes inhabited or reasonably substantial landmasses. Standard English translations consistently render νῆσος as "island" or "isle," which captures the primary meaning well. There is no significant figurative use in the biblical corpus. The use contrasts with χερρόνησος (peninsula) and other Greek geographic terms.

Translation Consistency

primary "island" 9 occurrences

νῆσος denotes a landmass surrounded by water; the natural, common English equivalent is “island.” It covers the typical range (isle, islet, remote separated region) while remaining the most neutral and widely understood choice.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from the base of ναῦς; an island:--island, isle.

Root Family

νῆσος (nēsos) — island, land surrounded by water

Root νῆσ- island, land surrounded by water

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3520-01 νήσῳ neso N DAT F SG island to an island island 3
G3520-03 νῆσος nesos N NOM F SG island island island 3
G3520-02 νῆσον neson N ACC F SG island island island 2
G3520-04 νήσου nesou N GEN F SG island of an island island 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3520-02 Acts 13:6 νῆσον neson N ACC F SG island island island
G3520-02 Acts 27:26 νῆσον neson N ACC F SG island island island
G3520-03 Acts 28:1 νῆσος nesos N NOM F SG island island island
G3520-04 Acts 28:7 νήσου nesou N GEN F SG island of an island island
G3520-01 Acts 28:9 νήσῳ neso N DAT F SG island to an island island
G3520-01 Acts 28:11 νήσῳ neso N DAT F SG island to an island island
G3520-01 Revelation 1:9 νήσῳ neso N DAT F SG island to an island island
G3520-03 Revelation 6:14 νῆσος nesos N NOM F SG island island island
G3520-03 Revelation 16:20 νῆσος nesos N NOM F SG island island island
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