Lexical Definition

‎σύρτις‎ sýrtis (soor'-tis) Syrtis ^N:N-F-L
from ‎σύρω‎

quicksands.

• a shoal (from the sand drawn thither by the waves), i.e. the Syrtis Major or great bay on the north coast of Africa

Abbott-Smith

Σύρτις (L, σῦρτις), -εως, acc. -ιν, ἡ,
Syrtis, the name of two large sand-banks on the Libyan coast: Ac 27:17.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

σύρτις,

genitive εως, Ionic dialect ιος, also ιδος [Refs 2nd c.AD+], ἡ: (σύρω):— the Syrtis, name of two large shallow gulfs on the coast of Libya, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

__II metaphorically, destruction, ἄλλα δ᾽ ἄλλαν θραῦεν σ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]

Profile

Syrtis • Dangerous shallow waters off the coast of Libya

Syrtis, a dangerous area of shallow waters off the coast of Libya, feared by sailors (Acts 27:17).

• A location only mentioned at Act.27.17;
• only referred to as Syrtis σύρτις.
  

Syrtis is mentioned in Acts 27:17 as a dangerous area of shallow waters that sailors feared. As the ship carrying Paul to Rome was caught in a storm, the crew took measures to avoid being driven into the Syrtis. The Syrtis, also known as the Gulf of Sirte, is located off the coast of modern-day Libya in North Africa. It was notorious in ancient times for its shifting sand bars and treacherous currents, which could easily trap and wreck ships. The mention of Syrtis in the context of Paul's journey to Rome highlights the perils faced by sailors in the Mediterranean Sea during that time.

All entries for Syrtis: σύρτις