Syrtis or “the quicksands”

of Acts 27:17

Where is it?

Abstract:

The word used in Textus Receptus Acts 27:17 is Syrtis (Gr. σύρτις.) Most likely this is a reference to Syrtis Minor and not to Syrtis Major, considering that the captain of the ship most likely knew the direction of the wind and the direction from Clauda towards Sicily, Malta, Syrtis Minor, and Syrtis Major, respectively, but not necessarily the exact speed and location of the ship from moment to moment as it was drifting sail less along with the wind. Based on what is known about the direction of the ship’s drift, from Clauda to Malta, the direction of the Euroclydon was coming out of true east or slightly towards E.S.E.. Consequently Syrtis Major, located in a southwesterly direction, was not a likely threat, whereas Syrtis Minor, due west from Clauda, was very much in the direction of travel and a real threat to the ship and its travelers.

Syrtis Minor

The Syrtis Minor is the Latin name used in Ancient Rome for the gulf of the Mediterranean Sea along the coast of North Africa, roughly from modern day Tripoli to Sfax, Tunisia. Syrtis is referred to in the Bible in Acts 27:10-19, which tells the story of the Apostle Paul being sent in chains to Rome to stand trial before Caesar Nero. The crew of his ship was worried about being driven by a storm into Syrtis, and took precautions to prevent it, resulting, eventually, in being shipwrecked on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. (Wikipedia)

MSN Encarta

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Clauda, Malta, Syrtis Minor (“the quicksands,”) and Syrtis Major

Clauda is the small island south of Khaniá, Crete, Greece;

Malta is marked Valletta on the map, located south of Sicily, Italy;

Syrtis Minor is the bay between Tripoli in Libya and Sfax in Tunisia (cf. the subsequent map below showing Syrtis Minor, Syrtis Major, and Malta,) including the shallow waters north and northeast of Jarjís; and

Syrtis Major is the same as Gulf of Sidra on the N. African coast between Banghází andMisrátah.

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Syrtis Minor, Syrtis Major, and Malta

Syrtis Minor is the bay between Tripoly in Libya and Sfax in Tunisia;

Syrtis Major is the same as Gulf of Sidra on the N. African coast and east of Misrátah; and

Malta is marked Valletta on the map and is located south of Sicily in Italy.

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Clauda

Clauda is referenced in Acts 27:16 .

Clauda is the same as GÁVDHOS on the map, located south of Crete.

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Malta

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“The quicksands” (KJV)
ειςτηνσυρτιν, Into the syrt. There were two famous syrts, or quicksands, on the African coast; one called the syrtis major, lying near the coast of Cyrene; and the other, the syrtis minor, not far from Tripoli. Both these, like our Goodwin Sands, were proverbial for their multitude of ship-wrecks. (StudyLight.org)

Syrtis, The

(Acts 27:17) in the Revised Version in place of “quicksands” in the Authorized Version. It was the well-known Syrtis Major, the terror of all Mediterranean sailors. “It is a dangerous shallow on the coast of Africa, between Tripoli and Barca, southwest of the island of Crete.” The other Syrtis, Syrtis Minor, was too far west to be feared by Paul’s fellow voyagers.—ED. (Smith's Bible Dictionary)

Syrtis Major / Gulf of Sidra

Arabic Khalij Surt , Italian Golfo Della Sirte , historically Syrtis Major arm of the Mediterranean Sea, indenting the Libyan coast, northern Africa. It extends eastward for 275 mi (443 km), from Misratah to Banghazi. A highway links scattered oases along its shore, which is chiefly desert, with salt marshes. In August, the gulf's water temperature reaches 88° F (31° C), the warmest in the Mediterranean. The gulf is important for tuna (tunny) fishing and sponges; and the… (Encyclopædia Britannica Article)

Gulf of Sidra

The Gulf of Sidra is a body of water in the Mediterranean Sea of the northern coast of Libya; it is also known as Gulf of Sirte. It is located in Northern Africa by the city of Sirte. (Wikipedia)

Cyrenaica

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The Roman Empire ca. 120 AD, with the province of Cyrenaica highlighted

Cyrenaica is the eastern coastal region of Libya.

[edit]

Ancient history

Cyrenaica was a Roman province on the northern coast of Africa between Egypt and Numidia; it had been formerly Greek. That area is now the eastern part of the Mediterranean coast of Libya.

The east of the province was called Marmarica (no major city), but the important part was in the west, comprizing five cities, hence known as the Pentapolis— Cyrene (near the village of Shahat) with its port of Apollonia (Marsa Susa), Arsinoe (Tocra), Berenice (modern Benghazi) and Barca (Merj)— of which the chief was the eponymous Cyrene. After the earthquake of 365 the capital was moved to Ptolemais. In the south Cyrenaica faded into the Saharan tribal areas, including the pharanoic oracle Ammonium. (Wikipedia)

Libya

(South Carolina Geographic Alliance)

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