Lexical Summary artemón: foresail Original Word: ἀρτεμών Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mainsail. From a derivative of arti; properly, something ready (or else more remotely from airo (compare artos); something hung up), i.e. (specially) the topsail (rather foresail or jib) of a vessel -- mainsail. see GREEK arti see GREEK airo see GREEK artos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom artaó (to fasten to) Definition something hung up or fastened, i.e. a foresail NASB Translation foresail (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 736: ἀρτέμωνἀρτέμων, ἀρτεμονος (L T Tr WH ἀρτεμωνος, cf. Winers Grammar, § 9, 1 d.; (Buttmann, 24 (22))), ὁ, top-sail (or foresail?) of a ship: Acts 27:40; cf. Meyer at the passage; (especially Smith, Voyage and Shipwr. of St. Paul, p. 192f; Graser in the Philologus, 3rd suppl. 1865, p. 201ff). Topical Lexicon Greek Term and Contextἀρτέμων appears once in the New Testament, Acts 27:40, describing the sail hoisted when Paul’s ship approached the beach of Malta. In ancient Mediterranean shipping the ἀρτέμων was the small, aft-mounted sail that aided steering when the larger mainsail was lowered. Luke’s use of so precise a nautical term underlines his eyewitness credibility and situates the event firmly within first-century maritime practice. Acts 27:40: “After cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and headed for the beach.” Biblical Setting in Acts 27 1. Crisis at Sea (Acts 27:14-20) – A violent northeaster drives the vessel; cargo and tackle are jettisoned. Historical and Nautical Background • Ancient Roman grain ships regularly employed an ἀρτέμων to stabilize the stern, especially when running before the wind or approaching land. Theological Significance 1. Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility – The crew takes calculated nautical steps (hoisting the ἀρτέμων) while relying on God’s promise. Scripture consistently holds these truths in harmony (compare Nehemiah 4:9; Philippians 2:12-13). Intertextual Themes • Storm and Rescue – Jonah 1; Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41. Each narrative showcases God’s mastery over wind and sea and His redemptive purpose for those He calls. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Crisis Navigation – Like the sailors adjusting sails, believers must exercise discernment and decisive action while trusting God’s overarching plan (Proverbs 3:5-6). Conclusion Though ἀρτέμων surfaces only once, it unfurls a canvas of historical detail, theological depth, and pastoral insight. The single sail in Acts 27:40 becomes a testament to the God who steers His people through tempests, harnessing both human skill and divine power to reach the shores of His sovereign purpose. Forms and Transliterations αρτεμωνα αρτεμώνα ἀρτέμωνα αρτήρσιν artemona artemōna artémona artémōnaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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