Lexical Summary prumna: Stern Original Word: πρύμνα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance stern, hinder part Feminine of prumnus (hindmost); the stern of a ship -- hinder part, stern. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of prumnos (the hindmost) Definition the stern (of a ship) NASB Translation stern (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4403: πρύμναπρύμνα, πρύμνης, ἡ (feminine of the adjective πρυμνός, πρύμνῃ, πρυμνόν, last, hindmost; used substantively with recessive accent; (cf. Winers Grammar, 22)), from Homer down, the stern or hinder part of a ship: Mark 4:38; Acts 27:29; opposed to πρῷρα, Acts 27:41. Topical Lexicon Nautical Setting in the First CenturyThe Mediterranean world of the New Testament relied heavily on wooden, sail-powered vessels whose design had remained largely unchanged since classical antiquity. The stern constituted the aft portion of the ship, housing the steering apparatus, valuable cargo, and often the most protected space for passengers. Helm control was exercised by large steering oars mounted at the stern, making that area crucial for navigation, safety, and decision-making at sea. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Mark 4:38 “But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’” 2. Acts 27:29 “Fearing that we would run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daybreak.” 3. Acts 27:41 “But the vessel struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was being broken up by the pounding of the waves.” Christ in the Stern: A Revelation of Divine Authority Mark places Jesus at the stern during a violent squall on the Sea of Galilee. The detail underscores both His genuine humanity—He is weary enough to sleep—and His sovereign authority when He awakens and rebukes the wind and waves. The stern, normally the command center of a vessel, is occupied by the Lord who demonstrates mastery over creation. The disciples’ fear contrasts sharply with His calm, inviting believers to trust the One who rules even the chaotic forces symbolized by the sea. Paul’s Voyage to Rome: Anchors from the Stern Luke’s narrative in Acts 27 offers a meticulous account of ancient seamanship. Dropping anchors from the stern was an emergency measure to slow the ship’s drift toward unseen hazards. By mentioning the stern rather than the bow, Luke highlights the crew’s strategic skill and the severity of the storm near Malta. The act of praying for daybreak reveals how human effort and dependence on God intersect in moments of crisis. Paul, the missionary-prisoner, becomes a voice of prophetic assurance amid nautical turmoil, illustrating God’s providential care over the spread of the gospel. Catastrophe and Deliverance: The Breaking of the Stern When the Alexandrian grain ship finally grounds on a reef (Acts 27:41), the stern is battered to pieces, yet not a single life is lost. The destruction of the stern—the very section that symbolizes human control—emphasizes that salvation comes by divine promise, not maritime expertise alone. The vivid detail validates Luke’s eyewitness credibility and reinforces the theme that God brings His servants safely to their appointed mission fields, even through apparent disaster. Theological and Pastoral Reflections • Security in Christ: Just as the stern housed the ship’s rudder, Christ directs the believer’s course. His presence in the stern scene of Mark 4 teaches that circumstances do not dictate ultimate safety; the Captain does. Historical Significance for Ministry Early Christians often traveled by sea to fulfill the Great Commission. Understanding ship anatomy enriches our appreciation of missionary resilience and God’s faithfulness. The stern episodes remind modern ministers that leadership involves both resting confidently in Christ (Mark 4) and acting decisively amid adversity (Acts 27), always trusting the Lord who guides every voyage according to His redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations πρυμνα πρύμνα πρυμνη πρύμνη πρύμνῃ πρυμνης πρύμνης πρωήν prumna prumne prumnē prumnes prumnēs prymna prýmna prymne prymnē prýmnei prýmnēi prymnes prymnēs prýmnes prýmnēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 4:38 N-DFSGRK: ἐν τῇ πρύμνῃ ἐπὶ τὸ NAS: Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep KJV: in the hinder part of the ship, asleep INT: in the stern on the Acts 27:29 N-GFS Acts 27:41 N-NFS Strong's Greek 4403 |
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