Bible Dictionary
Fair Havens
Fair Havens was a harbor on the southern coast of Crete where Paul’s ship stopped during his voyage to Rome. Because the harbor was considered unsuitable for wintering, the crew continued sailing and later encountered a disastrous storm.
Definition
Fair Havens was a harbor, or roadstead, on the southern coast of Crete, near Lasea. It provided anchorage and shelter, but was considered unsuitable for wintering.
Biblical Usage
Paul’s ship stopped at Fair Havens during the voyage to Rome. Against Paul’s advice, the master continued the voyage, after which the ship endured a storm and was finally wrecked on Malta.
Historical Background
Fair Havens lay about five miles east of Cape Matala. Its bay was open to the east and sheltered on the southwest by two small islands. The harbor is still known by its Greek name and appears to have been the harbor of Lasea.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A harbour in the south of Crete, some 5 miles to the east of which was the town of Lasea (Acts 27:8). Here the ship of Alexandria in which Paul and his companions sailed was detained a considerable time waiting for a favourable wind. Contrary to Paul’s advice, the master of the ship determined to prosecute the voyage, as the harbour was deemed incommodious for wintering in (9-12). The result was that, after a stormy voyage, the vessel was finally wrecked on the coast of Malta (27:40-44).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
a harbor in the island of Crete, (Acts 27:8) though not mentioned in any other ancient writing, is still known by its own Greek name, and appears to have been the harbor of Lasaea.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>far ha'-v'-nz (Kaloi Limenes): A roadstead on the South coast of Crete, about 5 miles East of Cape Matala, the most southerly point of the island. The harbor is formed by a bay, open to the East, and sheltered on the Southwest by two small islands. Here Paul waited for a considerable time (Ac 27:9); but while it afforded good anchorage and a shelter from North and Northwest winds, "the haven was not commodious to winter in" (Ac 27:8,12).</p><p>See CRETE.</p>