Italy
It'aly. This word is used in the New Testament, Act_18:2;
Act_27:1; Heb_13:24,
in the usual sense of the period, that is, in its true geographical sense, as
denoting the whole natural peninsula, between the Alps and the Straits of
Messina.
Source:
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Italy
it´a-li (Ἰταλία,
Italía): At first confined as a name to the extreme southern part
of the Italian peninsula in the region now called Calabria, whence its
application was gradually extended. In Greek usage of the 5th century bc, the
name was applied to the coasts as far as Metapontum and Posidonia, being
synonymous with Oenotria. The Oenotrians are represented as having assumed the
name of Italians (Itali) from a legendary ruler Italus (Dionysius, i.12,
35; Vergil, Aen. i.533). The extension of Roman authority seems to have
given this name an ever-widening application, since it was used to designate
their allies generally. As early as the time of Polybius the name Italy was
sometimes employed as an appellation for all the country between the two seas
(Tyrrhenian and Adriatic) and from the foot of the Alps to the Sicilian Straits
(Polyb. i.6; ii.14; iii.39, 54), although Cisalpine Gaul was not placed on a
footing of complete equality with the peninsula as regards administration until
shortly after the death of Julius Caesar. From the time of Augustus the term
was used in practically its modern sense (Nissen, Italische Landeskunde,
I, 57-87).
The name Italy occurs 3 times in the New Testament: Act_18:2, Aquila “lately come from Italy,”
because of the expulsion of the Jews from Rome under Claudius; Act_27:1, the decision that Paul be sent to
Italy; Heb_13:24, salutation from those
“of Italy.” The adjective form is found in the appellation, “Italian band” (cohors
Italica, Act_10:1).
The history of ancient Italy, in so far as it falls within the scope of
the present work, is treated under ROME (which see).
Source: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Italy
Act_18:2; Act_27:1, Act_27:6; Heb_13:24),
like most geographical names, was differently used at different periods of
history. As the power of Rome advanced, nations were successively conquered and
added to it till it came to designate the whole country to the south of the
Alps. There was constant intercourse between Palestine and Italy in the time of
the Romans.
Source: Easton’s Bible Dictionary