2568. Kaloi Limenes

Lexical Summary

Kaloi Limenes: Fair Havens

Original Word: Καλοὶ Λιμένες
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Masculine Plural
Transliteration: Kaloi Limenes
Pronunciation: kah-LOY lee-MEH-nes
Phonetic Spelling: (kal-oy' lee-men'-es)
KJV: fair havens
NASB: Fair Havens
Word Origin: [plural of G2570 (καλός - good) and G3040 (λιμήν - harbor)]

1. Good Harbors, i.e. Fairhaven, a bay of Crete

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

fair havens.

Plural of kalos and limen; Good Harbors, i.e. Fairhaven, a bay of Crete -- fair havens.

see GREEK kalos

see GREEK limen

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
pl. of kalos and limén
Definition
Fair Havens, a harbor in Crete
NASB Translation
Fair Havens (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2568: Καλοι Λιμενες

Καλοι Λιμενες (καλός and λιμήν), Fair Havens (German Schönhafen; Luth.Gutfurt), a bay of Crete, near the city Lasaea; so called because offering good anchorage; now Limenes kali (BB. DD.): Acts 27:8.

Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Location

Καλοὶ Λιμένες (Kaloi Limenes) is the Greek name for “Fair Havens,” a natural anchorage on the southern coast of Crete, lying a short distance east of Cape Matala and west of Cape Lithinon. Modern surveys identify it with the bay near the Cretan village that still bears the transliterated name Kaloi Limenes. Well protected from northerly winds, the inlet nevertheless offers limited shelter from winter gales sweeping up from the south and west.

Biblical Context and Narrative

Fair Havens features in the record of Paul’s voyage to Rome. Luke writes: “Continuing to sail past it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea” (Acts 27:8). Because “the Fast was already over” (Acts 27:9)—that is, the Day of Atonement, falling in late September or early October—the Mediterranean’s dangerous season had begun. Though the harbor was serviceable for summer trade, it was judged inadequate for overwintering a grain ship (Acts 27:11–12). Against Paul’s counsel, the ship’s pilot and owner persuaded the centurion Julius to attempt the short run westward to Phoenix. The decision set the stage for the storm and shipwreck that follow (Acts 27:13–44). Fair Havens is therefore the turning point where human confidence in seamanship overtook apostolic wisdom, precipitating disaster that God would eventually use to magnify His providence and Paul’s testimony before rulers.

Historical and Geographical Background

Ancient maritime manuals, including the Stadiasmus Maris Magni, mention the inlet, confirming that it lay two miles east of Lasea and opposite a cluster of islets that break most northerly swells. Roman vessels routinely hugged the Cretan shore on the Alexandria-Italy grain route, exploiting seasonal northerlies. Fair Havens offered a convenient lee for repairs and provisioning but, open to prevailing winter southerlies, lacked the security of Phoenix, a double-harbored port farther west (Acts 27:12). Because shipping schedules were dictated by harvest and festival calendars, Paul’s company reached Crete when shipmasters raced against deteriorating weather—heightening the tension reflected in Luke’s narrative.

Theological Insights

1. Obedience versus Expertise: Paul, seasoned by three missionary journeys and prior shipwrecks (2 Corinthians 11:25), warned, “Men, I can see that our voyage will bring disaster and great loss” (Acts 27:10). His spiritual discernment outweighed the professionals’ nautical skill, underscoring that divine wisdom excels human expertise.
2. Providence Amid Peril: Although the crew rejected Paul’s warning, God later vindicated His servant, sparing every life on board (Acts 27:24). Fair Havens thus frames a lesson in sovereign mercy—disobedience brings hardship, yet the Lord remains faithful to His purposes.
3. Gospel Opportunity: The impending crisis forged credibility for Paul’s subsequent witness on Malta and later in Rome. Fair Havens therefore functions as a narrative hinge moving the gospel from the Aegean world to the heart of the Empire, fulfilling Acts 1:8.

Applications for Ministry

• Pastoral Discernment: Spiritual leaders today confront moments when secular advice contradicts biblical counsel; Fair Havens reminds believers to heed the voice of godly wisdom even when minority opinion.
• Crisis Leadership: Paul’s conduct—from warning at Fair Havens to stewardship during the storm—models servant leadership that combines practical action (Acts 27:33–38) with unwavering faith in God’s promises.
• Mission Strategy: The episode illustrates how apparent setbacks (e.g., an ill-timed port call) can become divine appointments advancing the gospel beyond anticipated horizons.

Archaeological and Patristic Witness

Excavations have uncovered Roman anchors and amphorae along the bay, attesting to its use in first-century commerce. Fourth-century writers such as Eusebius trace Christian traditions in Crete back to Paul’s sojourn, and later monastic communities around Kaloi Limenes commemorate the apostle’s presence.

Relevant Passages

Acts 27:7–12; Acts 27:21–26; Acts 27:33–44; 2 Corinthians 11:25.

Englishman's Concordance

κληθήσῃ — 2 Occ.
κληθήσεται — 11 Occ.
κληθήσονται — 2 Occ.
κληθῆτε — 2 Occ.
κληθεὶς — 2 Occ.
κληθὲν — 1 Occ.
κληθέντος — 1 Occ.
κληθῶμεν — 1 Occ.
καλλιέλαιον — 1 Occ.
κάλλιον — 1 Occ.
καλοποιοῦντες — 1 Occ.
καλὰ — 7 Occ.
καλῇ — 2 Occ.
καλὴν — 11 Occ.
καλῆς — 2 Occ.
καλῷ — 1 Occ.
καλῶν — 6 Occ.
καλοὶ — 1 Occ.
καλοῖς — 3 Occ.
καλὸν — 54 Occ.