Was Ireland in The Bible

Answer 1

Very few countries are mentioned in The Bible. Ireland is not one of the countries mentioned.

Additional Answer:

Remembering that names evolve and at the times of biblical writings, mankind was continuing to migrate into lands outside of the fertile crescent area of the current Middle East and Northern Africa. As such, one needs to look for 'root' terms for the peoples who would inevitably settle into the Isles. Consider this quote:

Harvard professor Barry Fell wrote: "One of the ancient names of Ireland is Ibheriu , pronounced as Iveriu , a fact that suggests the word is derived from a still-earlier pronunciation, Iberiu . Now this is very interesting, for the Gaelic histories assert that the ancestors of the Gaels came to Ireland from Iberia, the old name of Spain. Could Iberiu be the same as Iberia , the name of the older homeland having been transferred to the younger? Many people, including some linguists, think this may well be the case" (America B.C.: Ancient Settlers in the New World , 1976, p. 43). The connection between Iveriuand Hebrew is even stronger when we realize that the Hebrew word for "Hebrew" is actually pronounced Ivri .

Answer:

Not named as "Ireland," at least... just as many modern nations [descendants from ancient peoples and tribes] as they are named today aren't mentioned in scripture as such. But the descendants of ancient tribes all had children, generations passed, and they are extant somewhere on the earth today as nations.

The Bible is a "Middle Eastern" book, that looks out on the world from the perspective and focal point of "Jerusalem" -- which biblical evidence reveals to be a very special place on earth to God:

"...O wall of the Daughter of Zion [Jerusalem], let not tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of Thine eye cease." (Lament.2:18)

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" (Matt.23:37)

Bible prophecy, also, boasts from Genesis [the beginning] to Revelation [the conclusion of God's plan]... to foretell the future, through the time we're living in now with all the nations in the world caught up in events... and beyond, to the "NEW BEGINNING" of Eternity, when God's present plan is concluded and the new one begins:

"...for the former things are passed away... Behold, I make all things new... these Words are True and Faithful." (Rev.21:4-5)

Whether God calls all the nations today by the same names as men isn't always the case. Egypt is perhaps the one identifiable nation that has survived unchanged from the beginning. Most other nations are identified in the Bible through their patriarchs [the male head or father of a given tribe, people or nation].

So, prophetically [and Faithfully] speaking... when people talk about "Bible times;" they're talking about TODAY and the FUTURE as much as they are the past. We're still living in "Bible times."

Although the name "Ireland" isn't in the Bible, then... one has to look to the biblical patriarchs of the tribes, nations and peoples to derive evidence as to their [possible] modern identities.

Ireland has elements in its mysterious historical past that the Bible may shed some light on. The particular element of focus is, of course, referred to as "myth and legend" by the world [but then... so is the Bible referenced that way by many].

One element of Irish history revolves around "legends" and "stories" of mystics, magic, sorcerers and gods -- among the most ancient of which is the "Tuatha de Danann": which translates; "People or Nation of DAN" -- which makes an instant connection with the biblical tribe of DAN; one the ancient "tribes of Israel" who disappeared from world history with all the others, scattered among the nations of the world; with the possible exception of the "Jews" [the tribe and descendants of Judah who became scattered also... but are still occasionally identifiable through their observance of God's Sabbath(s) - Ex.31:13].

Of all the tribes of Israel... Dan had a penchant for "naming places they'd been to... or cities they'd conquered in battle AFTER THEIR ANCIENT FATHER - DAN."

"...the coasts of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and CALLED LESHEM, DAN, after the name of Dan their father." (Josh.19:47)

And: "...they called the name of the city DAN, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at the first." (Judges 18:29)

As they were scattered among the nations with their brother-tribes, the people of "Dan" continued their penchant of giving places their father's name, which is evident today through Europe in the nation of "Denmark" [Danmark]. And as you travel through the continent on the Danube, Dnieper and Dniester Rivers.

"...and why did Dan remain in ships?..." (Judges 5:17).

The tribe of Dan was "split" and possessed both an "inland" tract of inheritance in the Promised Land... and part of them were also "mariners." Some of these seamen were the first to depart their homeland even before the land-locked tribes became captives, themselves.

So, the biblical tribe of Dan is evident in "Irish" legend and history in the "Tuatha de Danann" -- the "People of Dan." And Ireland may be said [by some] to be in the Bible -- not named "Ireland"... but, "Dan, after the name of Dan their father."