Syrtis, a dangerous area of shallow waters off the coast of Libya, feared by sailors (Act.27.17).
Also known as quicksands
Syrtis is mentioned in Act.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.
Approximate location: 31.767, 18.506 · view on a map · on the Bible atlas
1 verse in 1 book · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s G4950
After hoisting it up, the crew used ropes to undergird the ship. And fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.