A reef is a ridge of jagged rock, coral, or sand just above or below the surface of the sea. While the Bible does not explicitly mention reefs, the concept can be related to the dangers and hidden obstacles that are often referenced in Scripture. Reefs, by their nature, are unseen hazards that can cause shipwrecks, a metaphor frequently used in the Bible to describe spiritual and moral peril.

Biblical Imagery and Symbolism

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul uses nautical imagery to convey spiritual truths. Although reefs are not directly mentioned, the idea of shipwreck is present. In 1 Timothy 1:19, Paul warns Timothy to hold onto faith and a good conscience, "which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith." This metaphor suggests the hidden dangers that can lead believers astray, much like a reef can cause a ship to founder.

Similarly, Jude 1:12 in the Berean Standard Bible warns of false teachers: "These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, blown along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted." Here, the term "hidden reefs" is used to describe individuals who pose a danger to the community of believers, lurking beneath the surface and threatening to cause spiritual harm.

Reefs in the Ancient Near East

While the specific term "reef" is not found in biblical texts, the ancient Near Eastern context included knowledge of maritime navigation and the perils of the sea. The Mediterranean Sea, known for its treacherous waters and hidden dangers, was a significant part of the world in which biblical events unfolded. Mariners of the time would have been acutely aware of the risks posed by unseen obstacles like reefs.

Spiritual Lessons

The imagery of reefs serves as a powerful reminder of the hidden dangers in the spiritual journey. Just as sailors must be vigilant to avoid physical reefs, Christians are called to be watchful and discerning to avoid spiritual pitfalls. The Bible encourages believers to remain steadfast in faith, grounded in Scripture, and guided by the Holy Spirit to navigate the challenges of life.

In summary, while reefs are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, their symbolic representation as hidden dangers aligns with biblical teachings on vigilance and the need for spiritual discernment. The metaphor of shipwreck serves as a cautionary tale, urging believers to remain anchored in their faith to avoid the unseen hazards that threaten their spiritual well-being.1. (n.) A chain or range of rocks lying at or near the surface of the water. See Coral.

2. (n.) A large vein of auriferous quartz; -- so called in Australia. Hence, any body of rock yielding valuable ore.

3. (v. t.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the sail to the force of the wind.

4. (v. t.) To reduce the extent of (as a sail) by roiling or folding a certain portion of it and making it fast to the yard or spar.

4694. spilas -- a ledge of rock (over which the sea dashes), ie a ...
... a ledge of rock (over which the sea dashes), ie a reef. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: spilas Phonetic Spelling: (spee-las') Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4694.htm - 6k

1337. dithalassos -- divided into two seas, dividing the sea (as a ...
... divided into two seas, dividing the sea (as a reef). Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: dithalassos Phonetic Spelling: (dee-thal'-as-sos) Short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1337.htm - 6k

5117. topos -- a place
... Definition a place NASB Word Usage areas (1), locality (1), occasion (1), opportunity
(2), parts (1), passenger* (1), place (75), places (6), reef (1), regions ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5117.htm - 7k

2756. Chariph -- an Israelite
... Chariph. 2757 . an Israelite. Transliteration: Chariph Phonetic Spelling:
(khaw-reef') Short Definition: Hariph. Word Origin from charaph Definition an Isr. ...
/hebrew/2756.htm - 6k

6183. ariph -- a cloud
... 6182, 6183. ariph. 6184 . a cloud. Transliteration: ariph Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-reef') Short Definition: clouds. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/6183.htm - 6k

The Method of the New Theology, and Some of Its Applications
... It is simply the growing fringe of the coral reef, the bit of land far out, in contact
on the one hand with the unexplored sea"the bit of land far out in the ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the method of the new.htm

The Contribution of Science to Christianity
... outermost fringe, and here only, secretes a solid substance from the invisible
storehouse of the sea, and lays down its life in adding it to the advancing reef ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the contribution of science to.htm

The Trading Servants
... The coral reef rises in the ocean, and the creatures that made it do not see it.
The ocean will be drained away, and the reef will stand up sheer and distinct. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the trading servants.htm

The Last Buccaneer
... A-swing with good tobacco in a net between the trees, With a lass to fan you,
while you listened to the roar Of the breakers on the reef outside, that ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the last buccaneer.htm

Man's Passions and God's Purpose
... As coral insects work, not knowing the plan of their reef, still less the fair
vegetation and smiling homes which it will one day carry, but blindly building ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/mans passions and gods purpose.htm

On the Saying of the Saviour, "All that came Before Me were ...
... is the cause of it: as he is the cause of the conflagration who has not quenched
it at the beginning; and the master of the vessel who does not reef the sail ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvii on the saying of.htm

Paul in Rome
... Men, like coral insects, build their little bit, all unaware of the whole of which
it is a part, but the reef rises above the waves and ocean breaks against it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/paul in rome.htm

The Letter of Arius to Eusebius, Bishop of Nicomedia
... [321] panta kalon kinei. Cf. Luc. Scyth. ii. The common proverb was panta exienai
kalon, to let out every reef. Ar. Eq. 756 Eur. Med. 278, &c. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter iv the letter of arius.htm

The Divine Intention. November 4.
... the will of God; that it was ordained, ages since, into what particular spot each
grain of gold should be washed down from an Australian quartz reef, that a ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /the divine intention november 4.htm

A Sketch of the Life of St. Augustin.
... Of all autobiographies none has so happily avoided the reef of vanity and self-praise,
and none has won so much esteem and love through its honesty and ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter ii a sketch of the.htm

Reef (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points,
in order to adapt the size of the sail to the force of the wind. ...
/r/reef.htm - 7k

Earing (2 Occurrences)
... also called head earing. 3. (n.) A line for hauling the reef cringle to the
yard; -- also called reef earing. 4. (n.) A line fastening ...
/e/earing.htm - 8k

Point (106 Occurrences)
... 19. (n.) A short piece of cordage used in reefing sails. See Reef point, under Reef.
20. (n.) A string or lace used to tie together certain parts of the dress. ...
/p/point.htm - 40k

Joppa (14 Occurrences)
... A reef of rocks runs parallel to the shore a short distance out. ... There is a gap in
the reef through which the boats pass that meet the steamers calling here. ...
/j/joppa.htm - 17k

Nettles (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n. pl.) Small lines used to sling hammocks under the deck beams. 3. (n.
pl.) Reef points. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NETTLES. ...
/n/nettles.htm - 9k

Ledge (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A shelf, ridge, or reef, of rocks. 3. (n.) A layer or stratum. 4.
(n.) A lode; a limited mass of rock bearing valuable mineral. ...
/l/ledge.htm - 10k

Reefs (1 Occurrence)

/r/reefs.htm - 6k

Reedy (1 Occurrence)

/r/reedy.htm - 6k

Breaker (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A small water cask. 4. (n.) A wave breaking into foam against the shore,
or against a sand bank, or a rock or reef near the surface. ...
/b/breaker.htm - 7k

Clear (641 Occurrences)
... 21. (vt) To leap or pass by, or over, without touching or failure; as, to clear
a hedge; to clear a reef. 22. (vt) To gain without deduction; to net. 23. ...
/c/clear.htm - 39k

Reef: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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