Lexical Summary oniyyah: ships, ship, boats Original Word: אֱנִיָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance shipmen Feminine of 'oniy; a ship -- ship((-men)). see HEBREW 'oniy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as oni Definition a ship NASB Translation boats (1), sailors* (1), ship (4), ships (25). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֳנִיָּה noun feminine of individual meaning a ship — absolute Jonah 1:3 3t.; Plural absolute אֳנִיּוֺת Deuteronomy 28:68 +; אֳונִ֯יּוֺת2Chronicles 8:18; construct = absolute 1 Kings 22:49 +, etc.; — a ship Proverbs 30:19; Genesis 49:13; Deuteronomy 28:68; Judges 5:17 (where, however, compare BuBB Richter u. Sam. p. 16 on text) 1 Kings 22:49,50; Isaiah 43:14; 2Chronicles 8:18; 20:36,37; Jonah 1:4,5; Psalm 104:26; Psalm 107:23; Daniel 11:40; הַיָּם ׳א Ezekiel 27:9; propelled by oars Ezekiel 27:29; especially תַּרְשִׁישׁ׳א (compare אֳנִי) 1 Kings 22:49; 2Chronicles 9:21 (compare 1 Kings 10:22 above below אֳנִי) Psalm 48:8; Isaiah 2:16; Isaiah 23:1,14; Isaiah 60:9; Ezekiel 27:25; late of ship going to Tarshish 2Chronicles 9:21; 20:36; Jonah 1:3; merchant-ship, סוֺחֵר ׳א Proverbs 31:14; אֵבֶ֑ה ׳א swift ships Job 9:26 (compare אבה); seamen אַנְשֵׁיאֳֿנִיּוֺת 1 Kings 9:27. Topical Lexicon אֱנִיָּה (Strong’s H591)Meaning and Range of Imagery The term designates every sort of sea-going craft, from light papyrus skiffs (Job 9:26) to the majestic long-distance “ships of Tarshish” (Isaiah 2:16). It can point to commercial fleets, naval squadrons, or the single vessel that carried Jonah. Across Scripture the word becomes a vivid emblem of commerce, power, vulnerability, judgment, and hope. Distribution in Scripture Approximately thirty-one occurrences span the Pentateuch (Genesis 49:13; Deuteronomy 28:68), Historical Books (1 Kings 9–10; 2 Chronicles 8–9; 20), Wisdom Literature (Job, Psalms, Proverbs), Major Prophets (Isaiah), and the Book of the Twelve (Ezekiel; Jonah; Nahum). The clustering of references in accounts of Solomon, in the Tyrian oracle (Ezekiel 27), and in Jonah highlights major theological themes—prosperity, international reach, and divine sovereignty over the sea. Ships in Commerce and Prosperity 1 Kings 9:26-28 records Solomon’s fleet at Ezion-Geber on the Red Sea, crewed by experienced Phoenician sailors. Gold, almug wood, and precious stones flowed into Israel, fulfilling the promise that obedience brings abundance. Proverbs 31:14 compares the diligent wife to “merchant ships, bringing her food from afar,” depicting industry, foresight, and the blessing of global trade under God’s hand. The prophets envision restored prosperity in identical terms: “Surely the islands await Me, with the ships of Tarshish in the lead” (Isaiah 60:9). Military and Political Significance Naval capability signified political clout. Jehoshaphat’s ill-fated fleet (1 Kings 22:48) underscores the folly of alliances forged without divine approval. Isaiah 2:16 announces judgment “against every ship of Tarshish and every stately vessel,” demonstrating that the might of empires will crumble before the Lord of hosts. International Exchange and the Port of Tyre Ezekiel 27 catalogs the global marketplace centred in Tyre. Verse 25 states, “The ships of Tarshish carried your merchandise.” The dismantling of those fleets (verses 26-27) dramatizes God’s verdict against prideful commercialism. Mariners lament, merchants are ruined, and the harbour becomes a byword of collapse—an enduring warning to nations that trust wealth more than the Creator. Human Frailty and Divine Sovereignty Job likens fleeting days to “boats of papyrus” (Job 9:26). Psalms 107:23-30 pictures sailors who “saw the works of the LORD” when storms drove them to cry out for deliverance. The episode shows that even seasoned navigators are helpless until the Lord “stilled the storm to a whisper.” Jonah’s flight vividly reinforces this: one man’s disobedience imperils an entire crew until repentance and sacrifice restore calm (Jonah 1:3-16). Judgment Motifs Deuteronomy 28:68 foretells exile “in ships” as the direst covenant curse. History records repeated captivities, evidencing that God’s warnings are neither hollow nor obsolete. Psalm 48:7 depicts the Lord shattering the proud fleets of Tarshish with an east wind, echoing the Red Sea deliverance and foreshadowing final judgment on every power arrayed against His purposes. Metaphors of Mystery and Wonder Agur marvels at “the way of a ship on the high seas” (Proverbs 30:19), an image of paths inscrutable to the human mind yet perfectly charted by God. Such language invites meditation on divine wisdom that orders the seemingly trackless deep. Hope and Mission Isaiah 60:9 forms a bridge from Israel’s past to the future gathering of the nations: vessels that once bore cargo for profit will convey “your sons from afar” for worship. The same element that threatened Jonah becomes the avenue for worldwide restoration. The picture anticipates the spread of the gospel over every ocean, calling the Church to maritime and global mission. Devotional and Ministry Applications • Dependence: Like mariners, believers must trust the Lord amid uncontrollable forces. The word אֱנִיָּה thus navigates a theological course from blessing to judgment to eschatological hope, anchoring every voyage in the sovereign purposes of God revealed throughout Scripture. Forms and Transliterations אֳנִיָּ֥ה אֳנִיּ֑וֹת אֳנִיּ֔וֹת אֳנִיּ֖וֹת אֳנִיּ֣וֹת אֳנִיּ֤וֹת אֳנִיּ֥וֹת אֳנִיּ֨וֹת אֳנִיֹּ֗ות אָנִיָּ֣ה ׀ אניה אניות בָּֽאֳנִיָּה֙ בָּאֳנִיּ֑וֹת בָּאֳנִיּ֥וֹת בָּאֳנִיּוֹת֒ באניה באניות וְהָ֣אֳנִיָּ֔ה וָאֳנִיּ֤וֹת וּבָאֳנִיּ֖וֹת ואניות ובאניות והאניה כָּאֳנִיּ֣וֹת כאניות מֵאָנִיּֽוֹתֵיהֶ֗ם מאניותיהם ’ā·nî·yāh ’ānîyāh ’o·nî·yāh ’o·nî·yō·wṯ ’onîyāh ’onîyōwṯ aniYah bā’onîyāh bā’onîyōwṯ bā·’o·nî·yāh bā·’o·nî·yō·wṯ booniYah booniyOt kā’onîyōwṯ kā·’o·nî·yō·wṯ kooniYot mê’ānîyōwṯêhem mê·’ā·nî·yō·w·ṯê·hem meaniyoteiHem oniYah oniYot ū·ḇā·’o·nî·yō·wṯ ūḇā’onîyōwṯ uvooniYot veHooniYah vooniYot wā’onîyōwṯ wā·’o·nî·yō·wṯ wə·hā·’o·nî·yāh wəhā’onîyāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 49:13 HEB: וְהוּא֙ לְח֣וֹף אֳנִיּ֔וֹת וְיַרְכָת֖וֹ עַל־ NAS: And he [shall be] a haven for ships, And his flank KJV: and he [shall be] for an haven of ships; and his border INT: he and he a haven ships and his flank toward Deuteronomy 28:68 Judges 5:17 1 Kings 9:27 1 Kings 22:48 1 Kings 22:48 1 Kings 22:49 2 Chronicles 8:18 2 Chronicles 9:21 2 Chronicles 9:21 2 Chronicles 20:36 2 Chronicles 20:36 2 Chronicles 20:37 Job 9:26 Psalm 48:7 Psalm 104:26 Psalm 107:23 Proverbs 30:19 Proverbs 31:14 Isaiah 2:16 Isaiah 23:1 Isaiah 23:14 Isaiah 43:14 Isaiah 60:9 Ezekiel 27:9 31 Occurrences |
    |