Kittim
LocationsGeographical Setting
Kittim denotes the island of Cyprus and its surrounding maritime regions in ancient Near Eastern geography.
What is the meaning of Kittim in the Bible?
Kittim identifies Cyprus, a Mediterranean island, and its inhabitants, functioning in biblical texts with a narrow sense for the island itself and an extended sense for distant western lands or maritime powers.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Kittim as Cyprus clarifies the historical context of Israel's interactions with western maritime powers, particularly during the Hellenistic period when Cyprus served as a strategic base for the Seleucid Empire, which influenced events described in the Maccabean narratives.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Kittim in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Kittim clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.