The term "aground" refers to a ship or vessel that has run onto the shore or seabed and is unable to move. In biblical times, seafaring was a common means of travel and trade, and the imagery of ships running aground is used in Scripture to convey both literal and metaphorical meanings.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 27:41 · One of the most notable instances of a ship running aground in the Bible is found in the account of the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome. The ship carrying Paul and other prisoners encountered a violent storm, leading to the vessel running aground on a sandbar. The Berean Standard Bible states: "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." This event highlights God's providence and protection, as all aboard were ultimately saved despite the shipwreck.

2. Metaphorical Use · While the literal occurrence of a ship running aground is depicted in Acts, the concept can also be understood metaphorically in Scripture. Running aground can symbolize spiritual stagnation or the consequences of straying from God's guidance. Just as a ship is immobilized and vulnerable when aground, so too can individuals or communities find themselves spiritually stranded when they depart from God's path.

Theological Implications:

The imagery of a ship running aground serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and obedience. In the account of Paul's shipwreck, the apostle's faith and leadership were instrumental in ensuring the safety of all aboard. This narrative underscores the belief that God's sovereignty extends over all circumstances, and His purposes will prevail even in the midst of apparent disaster.

Furthermore, the metaphorical application of running aground calls believers to examine their spiritual journeys. It encourages self-reflection on whether one's life is aligned with God's will or if there are areas where one has become spiritually stagnant. The call to remain steadfast in faith and to trust in God's guidance is a recurring theme throughout Scripture.

Historical Context:

In the ancient world, maritime travel was fraught with danger. Ships were at the mercy of the elements, and running aground was a common hazard. The account in Acts 27 provides a vivid depiction of the challenges faced by sailors and travelers of the time. Understanding the historical context of seafaring enhances the appreciation of the biblical narrative and its lessons.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to navigate their spiritual lives with care, much like a skilled sailor navigating treacherous waters. By remaining anchored in Scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit, Christians can avoid the pitfalls that lead to spiritual shipwreck. The account of Paul's shipwreck serves as a testament to the power of faith and the assurance of God's deliverance, even when circumstances seem dire.(adv. & a.) On the ground; stranded; -- a nautical term applied to a ship when its bottom lodges on the ground.2027. epokello -- run aground.
... 2026, 2027. epokello. 2028 . run aground. Part of Speech ... a ship) aground.
Word Origin variant reading for epikello, qv. run aground. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2027.htm - 6k

1946a. epikello -- to run ashore
... to run ashore. Transliteration: epikello Short Definition: aground. ... verb kello (to
drive a ship on) Definition to run ashore NASB Word Usage ran...aground (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1946a.htm - 5k

1601b. ekpipto -- to drop away, fig. to lose, become inefficient
... to drop away, fig. to lose, become inefficient. Transliteration: ekpipto Short
Definition: aground. Word Origin from ek and pipto Definition to drop away, fig. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1601b.htm - 5k

A Total Wreck, all Hands Saved
... And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground: and the
fore part stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a total wreck all hands.htm

General Conclusion.
... But to such as are washed overboard is a deep whence is no out-swimming; to such
as are run aground is inextricable shipwreck; to such as are engulphed is a ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xxiv general conclusion.htm

The Promise.
... The ark first came aground on the mountain of Ararat, in Armenia, a sacred spot
to this day; and here God made His covenant with Noah, renewing His first ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson i the promise.htm

Lines on "Kallihirua in the Ship"
... lee. Our ship half bound, as if aground, Was scarcely seen to go. All hands
on deck were gather'd round The little ESKIMAUX. For ...
/.../murray/kalli the esquimaux christian /lines on kallihirua in the.htm

"When Solomon was Old. "
... The more deeply a ship is laden, if she gets aground, the more likely she is to
become a wreck. It takes the wisest of men to make the fool Solomon became. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxiv when solomon was old.htm

The Alarum
... If in these pushing times any man goes about his business in a sleepy, listless
fashion, he very soon finds himself on an ebb-tide, and all his affairs aground ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the alarum.htm

The Sixty Queens: Why Sixty, and Why Queens; the Excellence of the ...
... the creation, and those things which were made in paradise; and how man, receiving
a command not to touch [2694] the tree of knowledge, ran aground, the author ...
/.../chapter v the sixty queens why.htm

Letter i. To Innocent.
... But, if through my unpolished diction we run aground amid the rough cross-currents
of language, you may blame my lack of power, but you will at least recognize ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter i to innocent.htm

The Drunkard's Magnificat
... We came thither about noon, where a good woman informed us the boat was aground
and would not pass till the evening; so we judged it best to go by Carmarthen ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the drunkards magnificat.htm

Paul's Shipwreck
... ropes which tied the rudders and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for
the beach; but coming to a place where two seas met they ran the ship aground ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/pauls shipwreck.htm

Aground (5 Occurrences)
...Aground (5 Occurrences). ... Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars,
they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along. (WEB DBY NAS NIV). ...
/a/aground.htm - 8k

Run (147 Occurrences)
... Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the
sea anchor, and so were driven along. (WEB BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/run.htm - 43k

Fearing (107 Occurrences)
... Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the sea
anchor, and so were driven along. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/fearing.htm - 35k

Daylight (24 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 27:29 Fearing that we would run aground on rocky ground, they let go
four anchors from the stern, and wished for daylight. (WEB WEY NIV). ...
/d/daylight.htm - 13k

Sand (40 Occurrences)
... Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the
sea anchor, and so were driven along. (WEB KJV WEY WBS YLT NIV). ...
/s/sand.htm - 24k

Stern (8 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:29 Fearing that we would run aground on rocky ground, they let
go four anchors from the stern, and wished for daylight. ...
/s/stern.htm - 9k

Strand (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To drive on a strand; hence, to run aground; as, to strand a ship.
5. (vi) To drift, or be driven, on shore to run aground...
/s/strand.htm - 7k

Itself (203 Occurrences)
... ship. Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered
the sea anchor, and so were driven along. (See NIV). ...
/i/itself.htm - 36k

Agrippa (12 Occurrences)

/a/agrippa.htm - 11k

Ague (1 Occurrence)

/a/ague.htm - 8k

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