A harbor, in biblical terms, refers to a sheltered body of water where ships can anchor safely, protected from the open sea's winds and waves. Harbors are significant in the Bible for their role in trade, travel, and as metaphors for safety and refuge.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 27:12 · "Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to sail on, hoping somehow to reach Phoenix, a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and winter there." This passage describes the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome. The harbor at Fair Havens was deemed unsuitable for wintering, prompting the decision to seek a more secure location. This highlights the importance of harbors as places of safety and refuge during adverse weather conditions.

2. Psalm 107:30 · "They rejoiced in the calm, and He guided them to the harbor they desired." This verse is part of a psalm that praises God's deliverance and provision. The imagery of God guiding sailors to a desired harbor symbolizes divine protection and guidance, offering a place of rest and safety after a tumultuous journey.

3. Ezekiel 27:3 · "Say to Tyre, who is situated at the gateway of the sea, merchant of the peoples to many coasts: ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: O Tyre, you have said, “I am perfect in beauty.”’" Tyre, a prominent city in ancient times, was known for its harbors, which facilitated extensive trade and commerce. The city's strategic location and its harbors contributed to its wealth and influence, as depicted in Ezekiel's prophecy.

Symbolic Significance:

In biblical literature, harbors often symbolize safety, refuge, and divine provision. They are places where weary travelers find rest and protection from the storms of life. This symbolism is evident in the Psalms, where God is portrayed as guiding His people to safe harbors, representing His role as a protector and provider.

Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, harbors were crucial for trade and communication. Cities with accessible harbors, like Tyre and Sidon, became prosperous centers of commerce. The Mediterranean Sea, with its numerous natural harbors, facilitated the spread of cultures, ideas, and goods, playing a significant role in the history of the biblical world.

Theological Implications:

The concept of a harbor as a place of refuge aligns with the broader biblical theme of God as a refuge and strength for His people. Just as a harbor provides safety from the storm, God offers spiritual refuge and protection. This metaphor is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and care for His followers, encouraging believers to seek Him as their ultimate place of safety.

In summary, harbors in the Bible serve both a practical and symbolic purpose, representing physical safety and divine refuge. They are integral to understanding the historical and spiritual landscape of the biblical narrative.1. (n.) A station for rest and entertainment; a place of security and comfort; a refuge; a shelter.

2. (n.) Specif.: A lodging place; an inn.

3. (n.) The mansion of a heavenly body.

4. (n.) A portion of a sea, a lake, or other large body of water, either landlocked or artificially protected so as to be a place of safety for vessels in stormy weather; a port or haven.

5. (n.) A mixing box materials.

6. (n.) To afford lodging to; to enter as guest; to receive; to give a refuge to; indulge or cherish (a thought or feeling, esp. an ill thought).

7. (v. i.) To lodge, or abide for a time; to take shelter, as in a harbor.

3040. limen -- a harbor, a haven
... a harbor, a haven. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: limen Phonetic
Spelling: (lee-mane') Short Definition: a harbor, port Definition: a harbor ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3040.htm - 6k

2568. Kaloi Limenes -- Fair Havens, a harbor in Crete
... Kaloi Limenes. 2569 . Fair Havens, a harbor in Crete. Transliteration: Kaloi Limenes
Phonetic Spelling: (kal-oy' lee-men'-es) Short Definition: Havens. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2568.htm - 6k

3711. orgilos -- inclined to anger, passionate
... Cognate: 3711 -- to anger and harbor resentment, nurturing anger (prejudice,
bitterness). 3711 ("punitive") occurs only in Tit 1:7. See 3709 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3711.htm - 6k

1602. ekpleo -- to sail away
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekpleo Phonetic Spelling: (ek-pleh'-o) Short
Definition: I sail out, sail away Definition: I sail out (of harbor), sail away. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1602.htm - 6k

4581. Seleukeia -- Seleucia, a city of Syria
... Transliteration: Seleukeia Phonetic Spelling: (sel-yook'-i-ah) Short Definition:
Seleucia Definition: Seleucia, on the Syrian coast, the harbor of Syrian ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4581.htm - 6k

5174. Troas -- Troas, a city near the Hellespont (ie Dardanelles)
... ie Dardanelles). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Troas Phonetic
Spelling: (tro-as') Short Definition: Troas Definition: Troas, a harbor city of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5174.htm - 6k

4223. Potioloi -- Puteoli, a city on the Bay of Naples
... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Potioloi Phonetic Spelling: (pot-ee'-ol-oy) Short
Definition: Puteoli Definition: Puteoli, the great harbor for traffic with ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4223.htm - 6k

365a. Elath -- "lofty tree," a city and harbor on the Red Sea
... 365, 365a. Elath. 365b . "lofty tree," a city and harbor on the Red Sea.
Transliteration: Elath Short Definition: Elath. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/365a.htm - 5k

364. El Paran -- "terebinth of Paran," a city and harbor on the ...
... El Paran. 365 . "terebinth of Paran," a city and harbor on the Red Sea.
Transliteration: El Paran Phonetic Spelling: (ale paw-rawn') Short Definition: El- ...
/hebrew/364.htm - 6k

365. ayeleth -- "lofty tree," a city and harbor on the Red Sea
... ayeleth. 365a . "lofty tree," a city and harbor on the Red Sea. Transliteration:
ayeleth Phonetic Spelling: (ah-yeh'-leth) Short Definition: hind. hind, Aijeleth ...
/hebrew/365.htm - 5k

4231. machoz -- a city
... haven. From an unused root meaning to enclose; a harbor (as shut in by the shore) --
haven. 4230, 4231. machoz. 4232 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4231.htm - 5k

935. bo -- to come in, come, go in, go
... 2), fulfilled (2), gave (1), get (2), give (1), go (147), go through (1), go* (2),
goes (17), going (8), gone (7), granted (1), had (2), harbor (1), harvest (1 ...
/hebrew/935.htm - 8k

"Let the Lower Lights be Burning. "
... A few years ago at the mouth of Cleveland harbor there were two lights, one at each
side of the bay, called the upper and lower lights; and to enter the harbor ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/let the lower lights be.htm

Acts XXVII
... the southern shore, which but partially protected them from the wind, rendering
it difficult to keep near the shore until they reached the harbor called Fair ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxvii.htm

At the Foot of the Bamboos
... "Our house is pleasantly situated, having a good view of the inner part
of the harbor, and of several small islands in the harbor. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/v at the foot of.htm

Note a the Following Extract of a Letter I Received from the Rev. ...
... The affecting description of the scene at Sackett's Harbor, contained in the following
extract, struck me with such force at the time, that I received ...
/.../note a the following extract.htm

A Boiling Sea
... At eleven I preached to those that were left. About six it blew a storm; but we
were anchored in a safe harbor, so it neither hurt nor disturbed us. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/a boiling sea.htm

Whether the Different Kinds of Almsdeeds are Suitably Enumerated?
... For we reckon seven corporal almsdeeds, namely, to feed the hungry, to give drink
to the thirsty, to clothe the naked, to harbor the harborless, to visit the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the different kinds of.htm

"Ye are the Light of the World. "
... of long sermons. A vessel was caught in a storm on Lake Erie, and they were
trying to make for the harbor of Cleveland. At the entrance ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moody/to the work to the work/chapter ix ye are the.htm

The Voyage and Shipwreck
... in his afflictions. The voyage began prosperously. The following day they cast
anchor in the harbor of Sidon. Here Julius, the centurion ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 42 the voyage and.htm

Paul's Shipwreck
... As the harbor was not a good one in which to winter, most of them advised putting
to sea from there, hoping that they could get to Phoenix (a safe harbor) so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/pauls shipwreck.htm

Waiting for the Irish Boat
... About eleven we were called to go on board, the wind being quite fair;
and so it continued till we were just out of the harbor. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/waiting for the irish boat.htm

Phoenix (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PHOENIX. fe'-niks (Phoinix; the King James
Version Phenice): A harbor in Crete (Acts 27:12). The ...
/p/phoenix.htm - 12k

Rhodes (2 Occurrences)
... The capital in antiquity was Rhodes, at the northeastern extremity, a strongly
fortitled city provided with a double harbor. Near ...
/r/rhodes.htm - 13k

Haven (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A bay, recess, or inlet of the sea, or the mouth of a river, which
affords anchorage and shelter for shipping; a harbor; a port. ...
/h/haven.htm - 11k

Smyrna (2 Occurrences)
... Standing, as it did, upon a good harbor, at the head of one of the chief highways
to the interior, it early became a great trading-center and the chief port ...
/s/smyrna.htm - 12k

Boats (11 Occurrences)
... Solomon landed his timber and other materials for the Temple at Joppa, and tradition
has handed down what is called "Solomon's Harbor" there. ...
/b/boats.htm - 40k

Northeast (1 Occurrence)
... a wind or stream, means, "down the wind or stream," ie in the direction that it
is blowing or flowing, and this interpretation would indicate a harbor open to ...
/n/northeast.htm - 8k

Puteoli (1 Occurrence)
... Its subsequent remarkable prosperity and commercial activity are to be attributed
to the safety of the harbor and the inhospitable character of the coast ...
/p/puteoli.htm - 11k

Attalia (1 Occurrence)
... The city continued to be the chief port for ships from Syria and Egypt, and the
point of entry to the interior until modern times, when the harbor at Mersine ...
/a/attalia.htm - 8k

Southeast (2 Occurrences)
... a wind or stream, means, "down the wind or stream," ie in the direction that it
is blowing or flowing, and this interpretation would indicate a harbor open to ...
/s/southeast.htm - 8k

Ships (46 Occurrences)
... Solomon landed his timber and other materials for the Temple at Joppa, and tradition
has handed down what is called "Solomon's Harbor" there. ...
/s/ships.htm - 53k

Is the phoenix mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about forgiveness? What does it mean to forgive? | GotQuestions.org

How can I show appreciation to my pastor? | GotQuestions.org

Harbor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus