Sinim

Sinim (of Sin (Hebrew: סִין ) or Sinim (Hebrew: סִינִים, inhabitants of Sin) is called in the Bible foreign country for the assignment of the name to a people, there are different interpretations..

Scripture

In the book of Isaiah chapter 49 is speaking of the return of the Messiah. And of all the people come, for the Lord hath comforted his people. In Isaiah 49.12, this means then ( King James Version ): " Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and those from the sea and those from the country Sinim. " LUT. From the landing Sinim, a remotely located country, therefore people will be returned if God will bless you in future days Israel.

Individual translations translated this passage as the "Land of Sinim ", others as "Land of Sinites ". The NIV translation writes " out of the country Sewenim ". Here are two interpretations are already included, once Sewenim is a Jewish colony at Syene ( Aswan ) in southern Egypt and then, Sinim was an unknown country, perhaps China.

Interpretations for "Land of Sinim "

China

Probably the most common interpretation for " Sinim " is Chinese. This also has to do with the fact that Sina is a name for China. Already in ancient Greek is named China as Sina. And today the term is tantamount. An example is www.sina.com one of the major Chinese websites. Critics doubt that it had already given the term China / Sina time of this part of Isaiah Book ( Babylonian exile in the 6th century BC), the country was divided into many small regions. The name Sina might be linked (voiced 221-207 BC, Qin something like " Chin ") with the Qin Dynasty. On the other hand, many Jews should be taken during or as a result of the captivity of Babylon to the east. Many Jews returned from India to Israel as this country was founded again. But the Jews could be much moved on.

Persia

The Septuagint reads this "land of the Persians ."

Aswan

In this interpretation, " Sinim " is (today Aswan ) attributed to Syene on the southern border of Egypt.

Australia

Here is interpreted Sinim was old Semitic / Phoenician name for Australia, which was known to the seafaring nations. The Latin Vulgate ( 4th century ) translated this passage as " Australian ". This does not mean Australia but "south ".

Theological Interpretation of the Chinese

Many Chinese Christians like to choose the interpretation that with " Sinim " the Chinese are meant. Despite the distance, they were therefore already mentioned in the Bible. They suggest so that the Chinese people were also particularly chosen. As evidence, they call here the large number of conversions in recent years.