In biblical times, the concept of "decks" as understood in modern nautical terms is not explicitly detailed. However, the Bible does reference ships and their construction, which would have included some form of decking. The term "deck" typically refers to the flat surfaces on a ship, which serve as floors or platforms.

Biblical References to Ships:

1. Noah's Ark: The earliest and most detailed account of a large vessel in the Bible is Noah's Ark. While the term "deck" is not used, the Ark's construction involved multiple levels or "stories." Genesis 6:16 states, "You are to make a roof for the ark, finish the ark to within a cubit of the top, and put a door in the side of the ark. Make lower, middle, and upper decks." This indicates a multi-tiered structure, akin to decks, designed to house Noah's family and the animals.

2. Solomon's Fleet: King Solomon's reign saw the construction of a fleet of ships. 1 Kings 9:26-27 mentions, "King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea. And Hiram sent his servants, men who knew the sea, to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s servants." While the text does not describe the ships' decks, the mention of a fleet implies a level of sophistication in shipbuilding that would have included decking for functionality and safety.

3. Paul's Voyage: In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome involved a shipwreck, as detailed in Acts 27. The narrative provides insight into the ship's structure and the practices of ancient seafaring. Acts 27:29-30 describes the sailors' actions during a storm: "Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. Meanwhile, the sailors attempted to escape from the ship, pretending to lower anchors from the bow." This passage suggests a ship with multiple levels or areas, possibly including decks, where sailors could perform various tasks.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, shipbuilding was a vital skill for trade, travel, and military purposes. The Phoenicians, known for their advanced maritime technology, influenced the shipbuilding practices of neighboring cultures, including the Israelites. Decks would have been an essential feature for the functionality of these vessels, providing space for cargo, passengers, and crew activities.

Symbolic and Theological Implications:

Ships and their components, including decks, often carry symbolic meanings in Scripture. They can represent safety and deliverance, as seen in the account of Noah's Ark, or the perilous journey of faith, as illustrated by Paul's shipwreck. The imagery of a ship navigating through tumultuous waters can serve as a metaphor for the Christian life, emphasizing reliance on God's guidance and protection.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention "decks" in the modern sense, the concept is inherent in the descriptions of ancient ships and their construction. These vessels played significant roles in biblical narratives, symbolizing both physical and spiritual journeys.3547. kahan -- to act as a priest
... Word Origin denominative verb from kohen Definition to act as a priest NASB Word
Usage carry on their priesthood (1), decks (1), minister as a priest (1 ...
/hebrew/3547.htm - 6k

You Observe How He Treats Ambrose. First, He Calls Him a Crow and ...
... First, he calls him a crow and says that he is black all over; then he calls him
a jackdaw who decks himself in other birds' showy feathers; and then he rends ...
/.../25 you observe how he.htm

Daily, Daily Sing to Mary (B)
... Gifts of Heaven she has given Noble lady! To our race: She, the Queen,
who decks her subjects With the light of God's own grace. ...
/.../the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 76 daily daily sing to.htm

Crossing the Hellespont.
... cables were made and stretched from shore to shore, each being fastened, at the
ends, securely to the banks, and resting in the middle on the decks of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter v crossing the hellespont.htm

1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a ...
... Before doing this the vessel was taken into five fathoms of water, so that when
she settled down her decks would be above water, and she might the more easily ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vii 1877-1879 they helped.htm

An unconscionable time a-dying
... The true duties lie all upon the farther side, and must be attended to with a whole
mind so soon as this preliminary clearing of the decks has been effected. ...
/.../stevenson/a christmas sermon/an unconscionable time a-dying.htm

Book iv Thus Gently Sang the Lady Philosophy with Dignified Mien ...
... on her path the cold and ancient Saturn, maybe as the shining warrior Mars; or she
may take her course through the circle of every star that decks the night. ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book iv thus gently sang.htm

The Ship on Fire --A Voice of Warning
... fire!" ran along the decks, and the cabins, and the saloons of the "Amazon," everyone
knew that there was no small danger to be encountered, for flame is a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the ship on firea voice.htm

For State Reasons, the Various Orders of the Citizens Also are ...
... Marriage, too, decks the bridegroom with its crown; and therefore we will not have
heathen brides, lest they seduce us even to the idolatry with which among ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter xiii for state reasons.htm

Family Religion.
... "The parents pair their secret homage, And offer up to heaven the warm request,
That He who stills the raven's clamorous nest, And decks the lily fair in ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter iii family religion.htm

Rendering Our Account.
... The decks are slippery with blood, and the air dark with smoke; but the sound
of many voices is heard, it is the British shout of victory. ...
/.../sermon xliv rendering our account.htm

Decks (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Decks (2 Occurrences). Genesis 6:16 You shall make
a roof in the ship, and you shall finish it to a cubit upward. ...
/d/decks.htm - 7k

Declaration (9 Occurrences)

/d/declaration.htm - 10k

Garland (6 Occurrences)
... be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has
covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ...
/g/garland.htm - 9k

Fir (22 Occurrences)
... Its wood was used in making musical instruments and doors of houses, and
for ceilings (2 Chronicles 3:5), the decks of ships (Ezek. ...
/f/fir.htm - 19k

Deck (8 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The floorlike covering of the horizontal sections, or compartments, of a
ship. Small vessels have only one deck; larger ships have two or three decks. ...
/d/deck.htm - 9k

Decketh (1 Occurrence)

/d/decketh.htm - 6k

Murderer (17 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A small cannon, formerly used for clearing a ship's decks of boarders; --
called also murdering piece. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/m/murderer.htm - 12k

Bridegroom (23 Occurrences)
... be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has
covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ...
/b/bridegroom.htm - 14k

Adorns (3 Occurrences)
... be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has
covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ...
/a/adorns.htm - 7k

Bride (31 Occurrences)
... be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has
covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ...
/b/bride.htm - 17k

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