What are the…
Chittim
also known as: Kittim, a plural form (Genesis 10:4)
This is the name of a branch of the descendants of Javan, the “son” of Japheth.
Balaam foretold (Numbers 24:24) “that ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and afflict Eber.”
Daniel prophesied (11:30) that the ships of Chittim would come against the king of the north. It probably denotes Cyprus, whose ancient capital was called Kition by the Greeks.
The references elsewhere made to Chittim (Isaiah 23:1, 12; Jeremiah 2:10; Ezek. 27:6) are to be explained on the ground that while the name originally designated the Phoenicians only, it came latterly to be used of all the islands and various settlements on the seacoasts which they had occupied, and then of the people who succeeded them when the Phoenician power decayed. Hence it designates generally the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean and the races that inhabit them.
More information
- What is Cyprus? and what is its biblical significance?
- Answers about islands of the Bible
SHIPS—What does the Bible say about them? Their part in Biblical events? Biblical ports?- Who is Javan?
- Who is Japheth?
- Who is Eber?
- Who is Balaam?
- Is there evidence outside the Bible to prove the existence of the prophet, Balaam, son of Beor?
- Who is Daniel? and what is his significance?
- What is the Book Of Daniel?