What does “isles of the Gentiles” refer to?
Question:
What do "Isle" and "Gentile" mean in the verse: "By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations" (Genesis 10:5 KJV).
Answer:
"Gentile" refers to nations, specifically nations other than Israel.
"Isles" is an older way of saying "islands."
Newer translations read, "From these the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, every one according to his language, according to their families, into their nations" (Genesis 10:5 NASB95). Most coasts are dotted with islands; thus, by extension, the isles of the nations refer to the coastal regions. Jamieson-Faucett-Brown Commentary states:
"the isles of the Gentiles—a phrase by which the Hebrews described all countries which were accessible by sea (Isa 11:11; 20:6; Jer 25:22). Such in relation to them were the countries of Europe, the peninsula of Lesser Asia, and the region lying on the east of the Euxine. Accordingly, it was in these quarters the early descendants of Japheth had their settlements."
