Dodanim Tharseis Cetians Rhodians
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Gen. 10:4; 1 Chron. 1:7) — considered to be descendants of Javan, son of Japheth, and hence of Ionian race. Owing to the resemblance of this name to Dodona, the seat of the ancient oracle of Zeus (Jupiter) in Epirus, some think that the Dodanim dwelt in that region. Others, on the contrary, suppose this name to be a contraction of “Dardanim,” and thus identify them with the Dardanians, or Trojans. In the Septuagint, and in some manuscripts, we read instead “Rodanim,” and in all likelihood the inhabitants of the island of Rhodes are meant. It is worth noting here that this people is mentioned alongside the people Kittim, who by general agreement were originally the inhabitants of Cyprus.