Quicksands

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

The Syrtis, in the sea off the N. African coast between Carthage and Cyrene. (See Clauda ; Euroclydon; Melita; Paul )  Acts 27:17, for "strake sail" (Which Would Have Hurried Them Into The Danger) , translated "they lowered the gear" ( Chalasantes To Skeuos ), i.e., afraid of falling into the Syrtis with the storm from the N.E., they took down the higher sail and kept only the storm sail set, turning the ship's head off shore and standing on as best they could. There were two Syrtes; the eastern one the gulf of Sidra, the western one, smaller, the gulf of Cabes.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Quicksands (  Acts 27:17 , RV [Note: Revised Version.] Syrtis ). The Syrtes, Major and Minor, are situated on the N. coast of Africa, in the wide bay between the headlands of Tunis and Barca. They consist of sandbanks occupying the shores of the Gulf of Sidra on the coast of Tripoli, and that of Gabes on the coast of Tunis or Carthage. They have been considered a source of danger to mariners from very early times, not only from the shifting of the sands themselves, but owing to the cross currents of the adjoining waters.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

 Acts 27:17 , probably the dangerous sandbanks and whirlpools in two gulfs on the African coast south of Malta; they were called the Greater and the Lesser Syritis, and were much dreaded by ancient mariners. The course of the wind by which Paul and his companions were driven, threatened to cast them into the Lesser Syrtis.

Holman Bible Dictionary

syrtis   Acts 27:17 syrtis Syrtis

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

See Syrtis.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Acts 27:17

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

 Acts 27:17