Lexical Summary embibazó: To cause to embark, to put on board Original Word: ἐμβιβάζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to put aboard, transferFrom en and bibazo (to mount; causative of embaino); to place on, i.e. Transfer (aboard a vessel) -- put in. see GREEK en see GREEK embaino NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origincaus. form of embainó Definition to place on, to put on board NASB Translation put...aboard (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1688: ἐμβιβάζωἐμβιβάζω: 1 aorist ἐνεβίβασα; to put in or on, lead in, cause to enter; as often in the Greek writings τινα εἰς τό πλοῖον: Acts 27:6. Topical Lexicon Term and Essential Sense Embibazō (Strong’s Greek 1688) denotes the act of causing persons or cargo to board a vessel. Though the verb is used only once in the Greek New Testament, that solitary occurrence opens a window onto one of Scripture’s most vivid accounts of apostolic travel and divine oversight. Biblical Occurrence Acts 27:6 records the word in its aorist form: “There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board.” (Berean Standard Bible). The speaker is Luke, an eyewitness. The centurion, Julius, is overseeing the transfer of Paul and other prisoners from a smaller coastal vessel to a large grain carrier bound for Rome. The verb communicates a deliberate, authoritative action—moving the apostle and his companions onto a ship that will serve God’s larger purpose of bringing the gospel to the heart of the empire. Narrative Context within Acts 27 1. Apostolic Mission: Paul has appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11–12), and the Lord has assured him, “You must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11). Embibazō marks the concrete step by which God’s promise advances from vision to voyage. Historical and Maritime Setting The Alexandrian ship is a grain freighter, likely displacing over a thousand tons and equipped with a single mast and square sail. Such vessels carried Egyptian grain to feed Rome’s populace, forming the backbone of imperial stability. Boarding this ship exposes Paul to the busiest commercial routes of the Mediterranean and places him within Rome’s economic lifeline, illustrating how the gospel moves along existing networks of trade and communication. Theological Implications 1. Providence in the Ordinary: A mundane act—loading passengers—becomes an instrument of redemptive history. Scripture regularly portrays God weaving eternal purposes through everyday decisions (Genesis 50:20; Esther 4:14). Practical Ministry Applications • Strategic Use of Existing Structures: Just as Paul leveraged Roman shipping lanes, modern missions can employ contemporary infrastructures—digital platforms, global commerce, and migration patterns—to advance the gospel. Related Biblical Motifs • Divine Direction of Travel: Compare Abram’s departure (Genesis 12:1), Israel’s exodus (Exodus 13:17–18), and Jesus’ resolute journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). Each movement is orchestrated to fulfill covenant promises. Echoes in Church History Early Christian writers—from Clement of Rome to Ignatius—saw Paul’s seafaring trials as paradigmatic for missionary endurance. Medieval theologians likened the Church to a ship navigating perilous seas, guided by Christ the captain. The single act of boarding in Acts 27:6 thus resonates through centuries as an emblem of the Church’s journey toward its heavenly harbor. Summary Strong’s Greek 1688, though occurring only once, captures a pivotal moment when God employs ordinary maritime procedure to propel His apostle toward Rome. Embibazō embodies the convergence of human duty, historical circumstance, and divine mission, reminding readers that every embarkation—literal or metaphorical—can become a stage for the gospel’s advance and the Lord’s faithful care. Forms and Transliterations εμβιβάζω ενεβιβασεν ενεβίβασεν ἐνεβίβασεν enebibasen enebíbasenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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