Lexical Summary skaphé: Boat, skiff, small vessel Original Word: σκαφή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance boat, dishA "skiff" (as if dug out), or yawl (carried aboard a large vessel for landing) -- boat. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom skaptó Definition anything scooped out, spec. a light boat NASB Translation boat (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4627: σκάφησκάφη, σκάφης, ἡ (σκάπτω (which see)), from (Aeschylus and) Herodotus down, anything dug out, hollow vessel, trough, tray, tub; specifically, a boat: Acts 27:16, 30, 32. Topical Lexicon Nautical Background In first-century Mediterranean shipping, large grain ships towed a small “skiff” or lifeboat astern. When heavy weather struck, the crew would haul this auxiliary craft aboard to keep it from filling with water and to have it ready for emergencies. Luke’s use of the technical term σκάφη (Strong’s 4627) matches known maritime practice, underscoring his precision as an eyewitness historian. Occurrences in Acts 27 1. Acts 27:16 records the frantic effort, “we barely managed to secure the lifeboat,” as the vessel rounded the lee of Cauda. Theological and Pastoral Insights • Dependence on God’s Word. Paul had already received a promise of preservation for all on board (Acts 27:22-24). When the crew sought security in their own plan, he warned, “Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved” (Acts 27:31). The discarded skiff illustrates the futility of self-rescue when God has prescribed the means of deliverance. Historical Reliability of Acts Maritime archaeology confirms that Alexandrian grain ships carried a single large lifeboat hoisted on deck in storms. The precise mention of securing, lowering, and cutting adrift the σκάφη aligns with inscriptions and resin-sealed rope fragments recovered from Roman wrecks. Such detail argues strongly for Luke’s presence on the voyage (note the “we” sections) and for the inspired accuracy of Scripture. Applications for the Church • Trust God-appointed means—Word, prayer, fellowship—even when alternative “skiffs” promise quicker relief. Illustrations in Christian History During John Wesley’s Atlantic crossing (1736), Moravian passengers calmly sang hymns while a storm shredded sails. Wesley later acknowledged their faith as pivotal to his conversion. Like the discarded σκάφη, their refusal to seek man-made escape redirected another to genuine salvation. See Also Genesis 6-9; Exodus 2:3; Psalm 107:23-32; Jonah 1; Matthew 14:22-33; Acts 27:13-44; 1 Peter 3:20-21 Forms and Transliterations σκαφην σκάφην σκαφης σκάφης σκελίζω skaphen skaphēn skáphen skáphēn skaphes skaphēs skáphes skáphēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 27:16 N-GFSGRK: γενέσθαι τῆς σκάφης NAS: to get the [ship's] boat under control. KJV: work to come by the boat: INT: to gain of the ship Acts 27:30 N-AFS Acts 27:32 N-GFS Strong's Greek 4627 |
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