The term "overboard" refers to the act of throwing something or someone off a ship into the water. In the context of the Bible, this action is most notably associated with the account of Jonah and the Apostle Paul, both of whom experienced being cast into the sea under different circumstances.

Jonah and the Great Fish

The prophet Jonah is perhaps the most famous biblical figure associated with being thrown overboard. In the Book of Jonah, God commands Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. However, Jonah attempts to flee from God's presence by boarding a ship bound for Tarshish. The Lord sends a great storm upon the sea, threatening to break the ship apart. The sailors, fearing for their lives, cast lots to determine who is responsible for the calamity, and the lot falls on Jonah.

Jonah confesses that he is fleeing from the Lord and suggests that the only way to calm the storm is to throw him overboard. Reluctantly, the sailors comply, and as soon as Jonah is cast into the sea, the storm ceases. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this event: "Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm" (Jonah 1:15). Following this, Jonah is swallowed by a great fish, where he spends three days and three nights before being vomited onto dry land, ready to fulfill God's command.

Paul's Shipwreck

The Apostle Paul also experienced being cast into the sea, though under different circumstances. In the Book of Acts, Paul is being transported as a prisoner to Rome when the ship encounters a violent storm. Despite Paul's warning, the ship's crew decides to sail on, leading to a shipwreck. As the ship is breaking apart, the soldiers plan to kill the prisoners to prevent any from escaping, but the centurion, wanting to spare Paul, stops them.

Instead, the centurion orders those who can swim to jump overboard first and make for land, while the rest hold onto planks or debris from the ship. Acts 27:43-44 describes the scene: "But the centurion, wanting to spare Paul’s life, thwarted their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way, everyone was brought safely to land."

Symbolism and Lessons

The act of being thrown overboard in these biblical narratives carries significant symbolic weight. Jonah's experience highlights themes of disobedience, repentance, and divine intervention. His time in the belly of the great fish is often seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's death and resurrection, as Jesus Himself refers to "the sign of Jonah" in Matthew 12:39-40.

Paul's shipwreck, on the other hand, underscores themes of faith, divine providence, and the fulfillment of God's purposes despite human plans. Throughout the ordeal, Paul remains steadfast in his faith, encouraging those around him and trusting in God's promise that he would stand before Caesar.

In both accounts, the act of being cast overboard serves as a pivotal moment that leads to a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and mercy. These narratives remind believers of the importance of obedience, faith, and the assurance that God is in control, even amidst life's storms.(adv.) Over the side of a ship; hence, from on board of a ship, into the water; as, to fall overboard.1546. ekbole -- a throwing out, ie spec. a throwing overboard (of ...
... a throwing overboard (of the cargo). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
ekbole Phonetic Spelling: (ek-bol-ay') Short Definition: a throwing out, a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1546.htm - 6k

641. aporipto -- to throw away
... away. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aporipto Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-or-hrip'-to) Short Definition: I throw away from, throw overboard Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/641.htm - 6k

577. apoballo -- to throw off
... throw off. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apoballo Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-ob-al'-lo) Short Definition: I throw away from, throw overboard Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/577.htm - 6k

Letter cli. To Eustathius the Physician.
... Mariners do not willingly throw their cargo overboard; but in order to escape shipwreck
they put up with the loss, preferring a life of penury to death. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cli to eustathius the.htm

Paul's Shipwreck
... throw out the ship's cargo. On the third day, with their own hands, they
threw overboard the ship's tackle. For many days neither ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/pauls shipwreck.htm

Instructions for Fishermen
... All night long they had been dropping the net overboard, and drawing it in, and
with horny, wet hands seeking in its meshes, and finding nothing. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/instructions for fishermen.htm

The Hindrances to Mourning
... The mariner in a storm throws his goods overboard, not but that he loves
them, but he is afraid they will sink the ship. When men ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/9 the hindrances to mourning.htm

Guilty Silence and Its Reward
... Even when they hear his crime, and know that the storm is howling like a wild beast
for him, they are unwilling to throw him overboard without one more effort ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/guilty silence and its reward.htm

1 Thessalonians ii. 12-Sep
... Dost thou not see those who sail on the sea, how, when a storm arises, they regard
not their wealth, but even throw overboard their substance? ...
/.../homily iii 1 thessalonians ii.htm

Acts xvii. 32-34, xviii. 1
... found??ring, the sailors know not what they cast away, whether what they lay hands
upon be their own or other men's property, but they throw overboard all the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxix acts xvii 32-34.htm

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest." When
lots were cast, "the lot fell upon Jonah." He was cast overboard into the sea ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm

Fruitless Faith
... Statements of Paul and of James must be reconciled, and if they were not, I would
be prepared sooner to throw overboard the statement of James than that of Paul ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/fruitless faith.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments (Continued)
... A storm arose as the vessel was on its way to Tarshish, and it was decided to throw
Jonah overboard in order to appease God and to avert the destruction of the ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/ii praying saints of the.htm

Overboard (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) Over the side of a ship; hence, from on board of
a ship, into the water; as, to fall overboard. ...Overboard (5 Occurrences). ...
/o/overboard.htm - 7k

Spare (80 Occurrences)
... flock; (WEY NIV). Acts 27:19 and, on the third day, with their own hands
they threw the ship's spare gear overboard. (WEY). Acts 27 ...
/s/spare.htm - 32k

Jonah (30 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) The Hebrew prophet, who was cast overboard as one
who endangered the ship; hence, any person whose presence is unpropitious. ...
/j/jonah.htm - 35k

Throw (135 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Acts 27:18 As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day
they began to throw things overboard. (WEB ASV RSV NIV). ...
/t/throw.htm - 38k

Violently (92 Occurrences)
... him. (BBE). Acts 27:18 As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next
day they began to throw things overboard. (See NAS RSV). ...
/v/violently.htm - 35k

Overbearingly (1 Occurrence)

/o/overbearingly.htm - 6k

Jettison (1 Occurrence)
... Jettison (1 Occurrence). Acts 27:18 As we labored exceedingly with the storm,
the next day they began to throw things overboard. (See NAS). ...
/j/jettison.htm - 6k

Jump (3 Occurrences)
... But their Captain, bent on securing Paul's safety, kept them from their purpose
and gave orders that those who could swim should first jump overboard and get ...
/j/jump.htm - 8k

Labored (35 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV). Acts 27:18 As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next
day they began to throw things overboard. (WEB ASV). Romans ...
/l/labored.htm - 17k

Gear (3 Occurrences)
... to. (WEY ASV DBY RSV). Acts 27:19 and, on the third day, with their own hands
they threw the ship's spare gear overboard. (WEY). Genesis ...
/g/gear.htm - 8k

Who was Jonah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of Jonah - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What is the sign of Jonah? | GotQuestions.org

Overboard: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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