Chittim is a term found in the Bible that refers to a people and a region associated with the descendants of Javan, one of the sons of Japheth, who was a son of Noah. The name "Chittim" is often used to denote the islands and coastlands of the Mediterranean, particularly Cyprus, and sometimes extends to other areas settled by the descendants of Javan.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 10:4 · In the Table of Nations, Chittim is listed as one of the descendants of Javan: "The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites." . This passage establishes the genealogical origin of the people of Chittim, linking them to the broader Japhethite lineage.

2. Numbers 24:24 · In Balaam's prophecy, Chittim is mentioned as a maritime power: "Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever." . This prophecy suggests the influence and reach of Chittim as a seafaring people, capable of impacting significant regions and nations.

3. Isaiah 23:1, 12 · The prophet Isaiah refers to Chittim in the context of Tyre's downfall: "Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is destroyed, without house or harbor. From the land of Cyprus word has come to them." . Here, Chittim is associated with Cyprus, indicating its geographical location and its role in the trade networks of the ancient world.

4. Jeremiah 2:10 · The prophet Jeremiah uses Chittim to illustrate the extent of Israel's apostasy: "Cross over to the coasts of Kittim and look, send to Kedar and observe closely; see if there has ever been anything like this." . This passage highlights Chittim as a distant land, used as a point of comparison for Israel's unfaithfulness.

5. Ezekiel 27:6 · In Ezekiel's lament over Tyre, Chittim is mentioned in the context of trade: "Of oaks from Bashan they made your oars; of cypress wood from the coasts of Kittim they made your deck, inlaid with ivory." . This reference underscores the commercial connections between Chittim and the major trading centers of the ancient Near East.

6. Daniel 11:30 · In the prophecy concerning the conflicts of the end times, Chittim is mentioned as a source of opposition: "Ships of Kittim will come against him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his rage against the holy covenant." . This suggests a future role for Chittim in the geopolitical struggles described in Daniel's visions.

Historical and Geographical Context:

Chittim is traditionally identified with the island of Cyprus, known for its strategic location in the eastern Mediterranean. The term may also encompass other regions settled by the descendants of Javan, including parts of Greece and the Aegean islands. The people of Chittim were known for their maritime prowess and played a significant role in the trade and cultural exchanges of the ancient world.

Theological Significance:

In the biblical narrative, Chittim serves as a symbol of distant lands and foreign powers. Its mention in prophecies and historical accounts reflects the interconnectedness of the ancient world and the influence of maritime nations. The references to Chittim in prophetic literature often highlight the sovereignty of God over all nations and the unfolding of His divine plan through the rise and fall of empires.Chittim

Or KITTIM, descendants of Javan, son of Japheth; and the land settled by them, Genesis 10:4. Chittim seems to denote primarily the island Cyprus, and also to be employed, in a wider sense, to designate other islands and countries adjacent to the Mediterranean, as for instance, Macedonia, Daniel 11:30, and Rome, Numbers 24:24.

Or Kittim, a plural form (Genesis 10:4), 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 sea-coasts 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.

CHITTIM

kit'-im.

See KITTIM.

3794. Kitti -- a son of Javan, also his desc. and their land
... Word Origin from an unused name Definition a son of Javan, also his desc. and their
land NASB Word Usage Cyprus (3), Kittim (5). Chittim, Kittim. ...
/hebrew/3794.htm - 6k

Balaam
... In his home in the far east the fame of the ships of Chittim has reached him; the
fame of the new people, the sea-roving heroes of the Greeks, of whom old ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xiv balaam.htm

Benares as a Mission Sphere.
... Jeremiah said, "Pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar,
and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing. ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter viii benares as a.htm

Israel in Canaan.
... in exchange for balm and spices from Gilead; corn and linen from Egypt; ivory, pearls,
and rubies from India; gold from the beds of rivers in Chittim or Asia ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson v israel in canaan.htm

Alexander.
... THE CHOSEN PEOPLE. LESSON XV. ALEXANDER. "Ships shall come from Chittim, and
shall afflict Eber, and shall afflict Assur.""Num. xxiv.24. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xv alexander.htm

Letter Xlvi. To a Fallen virgin.
... This outrage in life is new. "For pass over the Isles of Chittim and see; and send
unto Chedar and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xlvi to a fallen.htm

Numbers
... The five verses that follow Balaam's words, xxiv.20-24, are apparently a late appendix;
the mention of Chittim in v.24 would almost carry the passage down to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/numbers.htm

On Assembling in the Church.
... [2844] Wherefore pass over to the isles of Chittim, and behold, and send to Kedar,
and observe diligently whether such things have been done. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec vii on assembling in the.htm

Questions.
... 10. What yet older prophecy was there of the Greek invasion?"Num. xxiv.24. 11.
What was Chittim? A. The east end of the Mediterranean. 12. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
... In Numbers 24:24, Balaam says: "And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim and
shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish." "We ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessings of noah upon.htm

Matt. v. 27, 28
... This God also did unto the Jews, when He said, "Go ye forth unto the Isles of Chittim,
and send unto Kedar, and know if nations will change their gods; which ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xvii matt v 27.htm

Chittim (5 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/c/chittim.htm - 9k

Perseus
... pur'-se-us (Perseus): In 1 Maccabees 8:5 the conquest of "Perseus, king of the Citims"
(the Revised Version (British and American) "king of Chittim") was part ...
/p/perseus.htm - 8k

Isles (32 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 2:10 For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar,
and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing. ...
/i/isles.htm - 17k

Macedonia (23 Occurrences)
... of his career is given in 1 Maccabees 1:1-7, where he is spoken of as "Alexander
the Macedonian, the son of Philip, who came out of the land of Chittim" (1:1 ...
/m/macedonia.htm - 40k

Island (16 Occurrences)
... 27:6, 7). (see CHITTIM.) The shores of the Mediterranean are called the "islands
of the sea" (Isaiah 11:11), or the "isles of the Gentiles" (Genesis 10:5), and ...
/i/island.htm - 16k

Chiun (1 Occurrence)

/c/chiun.htm - 8k

Vent (8 Occurrences)
... Daniel 11:30 And ships of Chittim have come in against him, and he hath been pained,
and hath turned back, and hath been insolent toward the holy covenant, and ...
/v/vent.htm - 9k

Kadesh (30 Occurrences)
... be corrected from the Septuagint (Luc.) reading: eis ten genitive Chettieim Kades,
"to the land of the Hittites unto Kadesh," into 'erets ha-chittim qadheshah. ...
/k/kadesh.htm - 21k

Orontes
... be corrected from the Septuagint (Luc.) reading: eis ten genitive Chettieim Kades,
"to the land of the Hittites unto Kadesh," into 'erets ha-chittim qadheshah. ...
/o/orontes.htm - 7k

Isle (15 Occurrences)
... We find references to Kittim or Chittim, Cyprus (Genesis 10:4 Numbers 24:24 1
Chronicles 1:7 Isaiah 23:1, 12 Jeremiah 2:10 Ezekiel 27:6 Daniel 11:30); to Elisha ...
/i/isle.htm - 15k

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