Salmone

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

(Σαλμώνη; Strabo usually writes Σαμώνιον, sometimes Σαλμώνἱον; Pliny, Sammonium)

Salmone is a promontory in the east of Crete ( Acts 27:7). It is uncertain whether the modern Cape Sidero, in the extreme N.E., or Cape Plaka, about 7 miles farther S., was so named. The map of Crete in Encyclopaedia Britannica11 gives the latter. It has been surmised that the ancient usage itself varied. On passing Cnidos, the S.E. corner of Asia Minor, St. Paul’s Alexandrian ship was beaten out of her course, which would have taken her straight to Cythera, north of Crete, and obliged to bear S.W. by S. till she came over against (κατά) Salmone, from which point she could work slowly westward under the lee of the island. The season was autumn, during which the Etesian (north-west) winds blow in the aegean for forty days, beginning at the rise of the dog-star (Herodotus, vi. 140, vii. 168); ‘perflant his diebus, quos Etesias vocant’ (Pliny, Historia Naturalis (Pliny)ii. 47). Aristotle describes them as μίξιν ἔχοντες τῶν τε ἀπὸ τῆς ἄρκτου φερομένων καὶ ζεφύρων (de Mundo, iv. 15).

Literature.-J. Smith, The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul4, 1880, pp. 74-81; W. M. Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen, 1895, p. 320 f.; Conybeare-Howson, St. Paul, new ed., 1877, ii. 392 f.

James Strahan.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

The eastern promontory of Crete. Paul's voyage ( Acts 27:7), the wind was "contrary," therefore, we infer, blowing from the N.W. ( Acts 27:4), so that they "sailed slowly." Their course was past the southern point of Greece, W. by Salmone. Then we read, when they "scarce were come over against Cnidus," they made cape Salmone which bears S.W. by Salmone from Cnidus. Assuming that the ship could have made good a course of less than seven points from the wind, we arrive at the conclusion that the wind must have been between N.N.W. and W.N.W.

This undesigned coincidence remarkably confirms Luke's accuracy. (See Smith of Jordanhill's Voyage, etc., of Paul, 73-74; Conybeare and Howson's Life of Paul, 2:393.) The ship's direct course from Myra to Italy after reaching Cnidus lay N. of Crete. But the wind blowing W.N.W. (as often in the Archipelago in late summer) forced her to run under the lee of Crete in the direction of Salmone, which is the eastern point of the island. They with difficulty passed that point. From Myra to Cnidus they had been able to work up with N.W. winds, though slowly, because until they reached Cnidus they had the advantage of a weather shore, under the lee of which they had smooth water and a westerly current. But at Cnidus that advantage ceased; thence their only course was under the lee of Crete toward Salmone.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

SALMONE . A promontory at the N.E. end of Crete, now Cape Sidero . St. Paul’s ship, after reaching Cnidus with difficulty, was met by a powerful N.W. wind, which forced the captain to alter the course. Off Salmone (  Acts 27:7 ) he decided to work his way westward under the lee of Crete.

A. Souter.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Salmo'ne. (Clothed). The east point of the island of Crete.  Acts 27:7. It is a bold promontory, and is visible for a long distance.

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

A sea-sport in the island of Crete. See Paul's travels,  Acts 27:7. Derived from Shalom.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A promontory at the northeast extremity of the island of Crete, now cape Sidero,  Acts 27:7 .

Morrish Bible Dictionary

The most eastern point of Crete.  Acts 27:7 . It still bears the same name.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Acts 27:7

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Acts 27:7

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography Information McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Salmone'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/s/salmone.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sal - mō´nē ( Σαλμώνη , Salmṓnē ):   Acts 27:7 . See Phoenix .

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Salmo´ne, a promontory forming the eastern extremity of the island of Crete .