Learn more about Cyprus

Introduction to Cyprus

Cyprus, known in ancient times as "Kittim" or "Chittim" in Hebrew, is a large island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. It held significant strategic and commercial importance in antiquity and plays a minor yet meaningful role in the biblical narrative. Due to its geographic location between Asia Minor and the Levant, Cyprus served as a cultural and economic crossroads, making it a fitting backdrop for several biblical events, especially in the New Testament. In biblical times, Cyprus was inhabited by a mix of Greek, Phoenician, and later Roman influences.

Cyprus Pronunciation

“Cyprus” is pronounced as SAI-pruhs, with emphasis on the first syllable. In biblical Hebrew, the term "Kittim" is pronounced KIH-teem, often associated with the people or region of Cyprus.

Cyprus in the Bible

Cyprus is mentioned multiple times across both the Old and New Testaments, with greater prominence in the New Testament due to its role in the early Christian missionary journeys:

• Genesis 10:4 – Kittim as a Descendant of Javan: The earliest mention comes in the Table of Nations, where Kittim is a descendant of Javan, who was a son of Japheth. The term "Kittim" came to represent maritime peoples, including the inhabitants of Cyprus.
• Isaiah 23:1, 12 and Jeremiah 2:10 – Symbol of Distant Lands: These prophetic texts mention Kittim (likely referring to Cyprus) to evoke distant coastlands and foreign powers, often in relation to the judgment of Tyre and other Phoenician ports.
• Daniel 11:30 – Naval Power: Daniel refers to the “ships of Kittim,” probably symbolizing Western naval forces, possibly from Cyprus, involved in conflict with Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
• Acts 4:36 – Barnabas from Cyprus: Barnabas, a Levite and prominent early Christian, is introduced as a native of Cyprus, showing that the island had an early Jewish and Christian presence.
• Acts 11:19-20 – Evangelism in Cyprus: Following the persecution after Stephen’s martyrdom, some disciples traveled to Cyprus and preached the gospel, indicating that the church had spread there early on.
• Acts 13:4-12 – Paul and Barnabas on Cyprus: On their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas travel to Cyprus. There they preach in Salamis and Paphos, where they encounter the magician Elymas. Paul strikes Elymas blind, and the proconsul Sergius Paulus believes the gospel—marking a key moment in the early church’s mission to Gentiles.
• Acts 15:39 – Barnabas Returns to Cyprus: After a disagreement with Paul over John Mark, Barnabas returns to Cyprus, further demonstrating his deep connection to the island and its continuing Christian witness.

Related Themes and Meanings to Cyprus

Cyprus and its biblical references are connected to several broader themes in Scripture:

• Mission and Evangelism: Cyprus was one of the earliest locations to receive the Christian message, signifying the rapid spread of the gospel beyond Jewish communities.
• Jewish Diaspora: The presence of Jewish believers on Cyprus, like Barnabas, illustrates the reach of Jewish communities across the Mediterranean.
• Conflict with Paganism: The confrontation with Elymas the magician symbolizes the clash between the gospel and pagan spiritual forces.
• Geopolitical Symbolism: In Old Testament prophecy, "Kittim" (Cyprus) sometimes symbolized distant foreign powers or Western aggressors in judgment or eschatological imagery.

Trivia and Interesting Facts about Cyprus

• Cyprus was the first stop on Paul and Barnabas’s missionary journey, marking it as the first region evangelized in what is now considered a foreign mission.
• The city of Paphos on Cyprus, mentioned in Acts, was known for its temple to Aphrodite, which contrasts starkly with the Christian message brought there.
• Cyprus remained a significant Christian center throughout the early centuries of the Church and later became home to several important monasteries and church councils.
• Some traditions hold that Lazarus (whom Jesus raised from the dead) became the bishop of Kition (modern-day Larnaca) in Cyprus after fleeing persecution.
• Archaeological evidence shows a strong Jewish presence in Cyprus during the first century, corroborating the biblical narrative.

Conclusion

Though a relatively small island, Cyprus holds a significant place in biblical geography and the narrative of the early Church. Its repeated mention across both the Old and New Testaments reflects its cultural and geopolitical relevance. Most notably, Cyprus became an early beacon for the gospel message through figures like Barnabas and Paul, symbolizing the outward movement of Christianity into the broader Mediterranean world.