Clauda
Dictionary of Bible Names

Question?   -   Newsletter   -   New!
A  -   B  -   C  -   D  -   E  -   F  -   G  -   H
I  -   J  -   K  -   L  -   M  -   N  -   O  -   P
Q  -   R  -   S  -   T  -   U  -   V  -   Z
Clauda
Bible Meaning: Lame
Strong's Concordance #G2802

The modern name for the island of Clauda is Gavdos. It is the southernmost Greek island and is considered the southernmost point of Europe. Clauda is located roughly 48 kilometers (close to 30 miles) south of Crete.

During Paul's fourth missionary journey, the ship he was on (along with 276 others, Acts 27:37) left Crete's harbor at Fair Havens and sailed west. Those who operated the vessel hoped to make it to the island's western port of Phoenix and anchor there for the winter. A violent wind, however, drove them from their course and forced the vessel southwest toward the small island of Clauda.

Hurricane-force winds and a driving storm caused Paul's ship to sail south near Clauda. The ship's crew, unable to control the vessel, was forced to let it wander the Mediterranean Sea for roughly two weeks (Acts 27:17 - 27)!

Important Verses

Acts 27:9 - 12, 14 - 17
Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast (the Day of Atonement) was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage . . .

Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship . . .

And because the haven (the Fair Havens harbor) was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice (Phoenix), and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west . . .

Map showing location of Clauda near Crete
Location of Clauda

But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail . . .

Additional Studies


Dictionary of Biblical Names
A  -   B  -   C  -   D  -   E  -   F  -   G  -   H
I  -   J  -   K  -   L  -   M  -   N  -   O  -   P
Q  -   R  -   S  -   T  -   U  -   V  -   Z

Series Notes
References are based on the
King James Bible translation (KJV).