אִי (i)
i
coastland
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 27 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ’îy refers to a coastal region, island, or distant shore. Derived from a root meaning "to desire" or "long for," it originally denoted a desirable, habitable piece of dry land. In the Old Testament, this term typically points to territories beyond the immediate horizon, often across the sea, representing lands that are geographically separate and culturally distinct from Israel.
With twenty-seven occurrences, mostly in Isaiah and Jeremiah, ’îy carries significant theological weight. It frequently appears in prophecies where God’s judgment or salvation extends to these distant places. For instance, Isaiah 66:19 describes the nations gathering from these isles to proclaim God's glory, while Psalm 72:10 envisions kings from Tarshish and the isles bringing tribute. The word helps frame a vision of a faith that reaches far beyond local borders.
Translators usually render ’îy as "island" or "coastlands," emphasizing its physical nature as land surrounded by water or bordering it. This distinguishes it from terms for general territory or nation. The usage underscores a biblical theme where the divine scope includes not just the central covenant community, but also the far-off shores and their inhabitants.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ’îy points to lands beyond the immediate horizon, often across the sea. In the Old Testament, these distant shores represent places culturally separate from Israel. Yet this distance does not mean exclusion. God’s care and judgment extend to these far-off coasts just as surely as they reach Jerusalem.
This perspective invites a wider view of faith. It reminds us that divine purpose is not confined to one border or one people. When Isaiah speaks of islands waiting for God’s law, he describes a hope that crosses oceans. This truth encourages believers today to see their mission as reaching far beyond familiar circles.
Understanding this word helps frame a vision of faith that embraces the whole earth. It suggests that every distant shore has a place in God’s story. This knowledge can inspire gratitude for the global nature of divine love and prompt a heart open to neighbors from all corners of the world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 27 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- islands6×
- O islands3×
- in the/ islands2×
- [the] coastland2×
- to/ [the] coastlands1×
- to the/ islands1×
- the/ islands1×
- the/ coastland1×
- the/ coast1×
- in/ [the] islands of1×
- and/ from/ [the] islands of1×
- and/ [the] islands of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אִיֵּ֤י2×
- אִיִּים֙2×
- אִיִּ֥ים2×
- אִיִּ֣ים2×
- אִיִּ֖ים2×
- לָֽ/אִיִּ֔ים1×
- לָ/אִיִּ֖ים1×
- לְ/אִיִּ֖ים1×
- וּ/מֵ/אִיֵּ֖י1×
- וְ֭/אִיִּים1×
- וְ/אִיֵּ֥י1×
- הָ/אִיִּ֣ים1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 66:19
“I will set a sign among them, and I will send those who escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to far-away islands, who have not heard my fame, nor have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations.
This verse shows God sending survivors to distant islands specifically to declare His glory among nations that had never heard it.
-
Isaiah 42:4
He will not fail nor be discouraged, until he has set justice in the earth, and the islands wait for his law.”
Here the islands are depicted as actively waiting for justice and law, showing their eager participation in God’s ultimate plan.
-
Psalms 97:1
Yahweh reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad!
The multitude of islands is called to rejoice alongside the earth, highlighting universal joy in Yahweh’s reign.
-
Jeremiah 31:10
“Hear Yahweh’s word, you nations, and declare it in the distant islands. Say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd does his flock.’
God commands the distant islands to proclaim the promise of gathering Israel, linking their witness to restoration.