In the context of the Bible, oarsmen are individuals who propel a boat or ship using oars. This term is often associated with maritime activities, particularly in the ancient world where rowing was a common method of navigation and transportation across bodies of water. The role of oarsmen is mentioned in the Bible, providing insight into the seafaring practices of biblical times.

Biblical References:

1. Ezekiel 27:26-29 : The prophet Ezekiel provides a vivid description of the fall of Tyre, a prominent ancient city known for its maritime prowess. In this passage, oarsmen are depicted as part of the crew of Tyre's ships, highlighting their importance in the city's commercial and naval activities. The text states: "Your oarsmen take you out to the high seas. But the east wind will break you to pieces in the heart of the sea. Your wealth, merchandise, and wares, your mariners, seamen, and shipwrights, your merchants and all your soldiers, and everyone else on board will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your shipwreck. The countryside will shake at the sound of your sailors’ cries."

2. Jonah 1:13 : In the account of Jonah, the prophet attempts to flee from God's command by boarding a ship bound for Tarshish. When a violent storm threatens to destroy the vessel, the sailors, acting as oarsmen, strive to save the ship. The verse reads: "Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea was raging against them more and more."

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient times, oarsmen were essential to the operation of ships, especially in the Mediterranean region where much of the biblical narrative unfolds. Ships were often powered by both sails and oars, allowing them to navigate various sea conditions. Oarsmen were typically skilled laborers, and their work was physically demanding, requiring strength and coordination.

The role of oarsmen in biblical texts often symbolizes human effort and struggle against natural forces, as seen in the accounts of Tyre and Jonah. Their presence in these narratives underscores the reliance on human skill and labor in the face of divine intervention or judgment.

Symbolic Interpretation:

From a theological perspective, oarsmen can be seen as representing human endeavor and the limitations of human power. In the account of Jonah, despite the sailors' best efforts, they are unable to overcome the storm without divine intervention, illustrating the theme of human dependence on God. Similarly, the fall of Tyre, despite its skilled oarsmen and maritime strength, serves as a reminder of the ultimate sovereignty of God over nations and their endeavors.

Conclusion:

The mention of oarsmen in the Bible, though limited, provides a glimpse into the maritime culture of the ancient world and serves as a metaphor for human effort in the face of divine will. Through these narratives, the Bible conveys themes of human limitation, the futility of relying solely on human strength, and the necessity of divine guidance and intervention.(n.) Plural of Oarsman.

The Coming of the Pharaoh
... Oarsmen wore chaplets on the head or garlands around the loins, and half-clad
slave-girls were scattered about with fans of dyed plumes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xiii the coming of.htm

Cli. Letter or Address of Theodoret to the Monks of the ...
... beating of the waves, the deep darkness of the night, and, besides all this, the
strife of the mariners, the struggle going on between oarsmen, the drunkenness ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cli letter or address of.htm

Of Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata, and Others.
... When he had reached the bank of the river (for the Euphrates runs along the very
walls of the town) he embarked in a boat and told the oarsmen to row to Zeugma ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xiii of eusebius bishop of.htm

The Dark was Lifting as Vergilius Entered the Field of Mars. ...
... and cattle from terrified agrarians; he saw Manius strike a man down for resenting
insults to his daughter; he saw the deadly toil of the oarsmen, the bitter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 11 the dark was.htm

The Battle of Salamis.
... Themistocles, without expressing either assent or dissent, took his boat, and
ordered the oarsmen to row him to the galley of Eurybiades. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter xi the battle of.htm

On the Way to Thebes
... The mischance did not trouble Kenkenes. After some effort he aroused a crew
of oarsmen, procured a boat, and continued at once to Thebes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxi on the way.htm

The Review of the Troops at Doriscus.
... embarked on board a royal galley which had been prepared for him, and there, seated
upon the deck under a gilded canopy, he was rowed by the oarsmen along the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter vi the review of.htm

The Messenger
... and was gone. On the broad bosom of the Nile at sunset, four strong oarsmen
were speeding him swiftly up to Thebes. Off the long ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter iii the messenger.htm

The Memphite Empire
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 2. <. ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 3. <. ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

Oarsmen (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Oarsman. Multi-Version Concordance
Oarsmen (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 27:8 The inhabitants ...
/o/oarsmen.htm - 6k

Oars (4 Occurrences)

/o/oars.htm - 7k

Boats (11 Occurrences)
... She is manned with oarsmen of Sidon and Arvad, pilots of the wise men of Tyre, calkers
from Gebal to stop up the cracks and seams in her timbers, mariners and ...
/b/boats.htm - 40k

Ships (46 Occurrences)
... She is manned with oarsmen of Sidon and Arvad, pilots of the wise men of Tyre, calkers
from Gebal to stop up the cracks and seams in her timbers, mariners and ...
/s/ships.htm - 53k

Oath (286 Occurrences)

/o/oath.htm - 47k

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