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Syrtis

Description

SYRTIS

sir'-tis (surtis): the Revised Version (British and American) form for "quicksands" in Acts 27:17 . These sandbanks, off the northern coast of Africa, have from early times been regarded as a source of danger to mariners. Virgil refers to them (Aen. iv.40). In Paul's voyage, the ship, driven by a tempestuous wind, Euraquilo, was in peril of being cast-upon them.

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Dictionary information

Quicksands

found only in (Acts 27:17 ), the rendering of the Greek Syrtis. On the north coast of Africa were two localities dangerous to sailors, called the Greater and Lesser Syrtis. The former of these is probably here meant. It lies between Tripoli and Barca, and near Cyrene. The Lesser Syrtis lay farther to the west.

EBD - Easton's Bible Dictionary