Σαλμώνη

Salmone

Definition

Salmone (Σαλμώνη) is a proper noun referring to a specific geographical feature: a promontory or cape on the northeastern coast of the island of Crete. In the ancient world, such landmarks were critical for maritime navigation, serving as key reference points for sailors. The term appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 27:7, where it is mentioned as a landmark passed by the ship carrying the Apostle Paul on his journey to Rome. There are no other biblical senses or meanings for this word; it functions solely as a place name.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in the book of Acts. It appears in the narrative of Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome (Acts 27:7). The usage is purely geographical, providing a specific detail about the ship's route along the southern coast of Crete. The context is historical and travel-oriented, with no symbolic or metaphorical application.

Etymology

The word Σαλμώνη (Salmōnē) is of Greek origin, directly borrowed as a proper name for the cape. It is not derived from a common Greek root with a broader semantic range; it is a specific toponym. The name itself may have older, possibly pre-Greek origins, but its exact derivation is uncertain and it is used in the New Testament simply as an established geographical label.

Semantic Range

In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, prominent capes like Salmone were well-known navigational hazards and landmarks for sailors. Mentioning it in Acts 27:7 adds historical verisimilitude to the travel account. For ancient readers familiar with sea travel, this detail would have immediately situated the narrative in a real-world setting, underscoring the accuracy of Luke's historical report. Its modern equivalent would be naming a major headland like Cape of Good Hope in a travel log.

ἄκρα (akra, G206) — A more general Greek term for a promontory, headland, or extremity, whereas Σαλμώνη is the proper name of a specific one.

Word Details

Scripture References