### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word νησίον (nēsíon), Strong's G3519, is a diminutive form of νῆσος (nēsos) `{{G3518}}`, which means "island." As such, νησίον specifically denotes a "small island" or an "islet." The use of the diminutive suffix emphasizes the limited size of the landmass, distinguishing it from larger islands. Its semantic range is purely geographical, referring to a piece of land completely surrounded by water, but with an inherent implication of being minor or less significant in scale compared to a full-sized island. This distinction is crucial for understanding its precise application in the biblical narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term νησίον appears only once in the New Testament, found in the book of Acts:
* **[[Acts 27:16]]**: "And running under the lee of a certain **small island** called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the ship's boat under control."
In this sole occurrence, νησίον precisely describes the island of Clauda (modern Gavdos), located south of Crete. The context is Paul's perilous sea journey to Rome, where his ship is caught in a violent storm, the "Euroclydon" (a northeaster). The crew's desperate attempt to secure the ship's boat, which was being battered by the waves, led them to seek temporary and partial shelter "under the lee" of this "small island." The diminutive "small island" (νησίον) is significant here. It implies that Clauda offered only limited protection or maneuverability in the raging tempest, serving as a brief and desperate point of strategic action rather than a safe harbor. Luke's precise geographical detail, including the specific size of the island, underscores the extreme danger faced by the ship and the crew's desperate measures for survival.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to νησίον is its base word, νῆσος (nēsos) `{{G3518}}`, which simply means "island." While νησίον emphasizes smallness, νῆσος is used more generally for islands, such as Cyprus, Crete, or Malta.
Other related concepts and words, particularly in the context of its single biblical occurrence, include:
* θάλασσα (thalassa) `{{G2281}}`: "sea," which surrounds islands and is the medium of the ship's journey.
* πλοῖον (ploion) `{{G4143}}`: "boat" or "ship," the vessel central to the narrative.
* ἄνεμος (anemos) `{{G417}}`: "wind," specifically the storm-wind (Euroclydon) that makes the small island so critical.
* χειμών (cheimon) `{{G5494}}`: "storm" or "winter," referring to the severe weather conditions.
* The broader concept of "refuge" or "shelter," even if temporary and insufficient, is implied by the ship's action near the islet.
### Theological Significance
Given its singular occurrence in a highly descriptive, narrative passage, νησίον (nēsíon) does not carry a deep independent theological meaning or symbolic weight within the New Testament. Its primary function is to provide precise geographical detail, enhancing the realism and verifiability of Luke's account of Paul's voyage.
However, within the broader theological context of Acts 27, the "small island" of Clauda serves as a tangible element in the unfolding drama of divine providence. While it offered only minimal and temporary relief, it was a crucial point in the ship's desperate struggle, allowing the crew to secure the boat and prepare for further endurance. This event, though seemingly minor, is part of the larger narrative where God sovereignly guides Paul through immense peril to fulfill His purpose in Rome. The "small island" thus highlights both human vulnerability in the face of overwhelming natural forces and the meticulous, if sometimes indirect, ways in which God's plan unfolds, even through desperate human efforts and precise geographical markers. It underscores the realism of God's engagement with the world and the practical details of His providential care for His servants.
### Summary
νησίον (nēsíon), Strong's G3519, is a Greek diminutive meaning "small island" or "islet," derived from νῆσος (nēsos) `{{G3518}}`. It appears only once in the New Testament, in [[Acts 27:16]], where it describes the island of Clauda. In this context, the term highlights the limited and desperate nature of the refuge sought by Paul's storm-tossed ship, emphasizing the extreme peril and the precise geographical details of the journey. While not bearing significant independent theological weight, its singular use contributes to the vivid realism of Luke's narrative, underscoring human vulnerability and the unfolding of divine providence even amidst severe maritime distress.
TRV