The act of sailing, as referenced in the Bible, primarily pertains to the journeys undertaken across bodies of water, often for purposes of trade, travel, or missionary work. Sailing in biblical times was a significant mode of transportation, especially in the Mediterranean region, which was central to many of the events recorded in the Scriptures.

Biblical Context

1. Old Testament References: While the Old Testament does not frequently mention sailing, it does allude to maritime activities. For instance, King Solomon's fleet is noted for its voyages to Ophir, bringing back gold and other treasures (1 Kings 9:26-28). This indicates the use of ships for trade and the wealth that such endeavors could bring.

2. New Testament Journeys: The New Testament provides more detailed accounts of sailing, particularly in the Acts of the Apostles. The Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys often involved travel by sea. For example, Acts 27 provides a detailed narrative of Paul's voyage to Rome, including the shipwreck he experienced. "When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment" (Acts 27:1).

3. Symbolism and Metaphor: Sailing can also be seen as a metaphor for the journey of faith, with the sea representing the challenges and uncertainties of life. The act of sailing, therefore, can symbolize trust in God’s guidance and providence, as seen in the calming of the storm by Jesus (Mark 4:35-41).

Cultural and Historical Insights

· Ship Design and Navigation: Ships in biblical times were primarily powered by sails and oars. The design of these vessels was influenced by the need to navigate the often unpredictable Mediterranean Sea. Mariners relied on the stars for navigation, as well as their knowledge of the sea and weather patterns.

· Economic Importance: Sailing was crucial for trade and the spread of cultures. The exchange of goods, ideas, and beliefs was facilitated by maritime routes, which connected distant lands and peoples.

· Challenges of Sailing: The Bible acknowledges the perils of sea travel. Storms, shipwrecks, and piracy were constant threats. Paul's shipwreck on the island of Malta (Acts 27:39-44) highlights the dangers faced by ancient mariners.

Theological Implications

· Divine Providence: The accounts of sailing in the Bible often emphasize God’s sovereignty and protection. For instance, during Paul’s shipwreck, an angel assures him of safety, saying, "Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you" (Acts 27:24).

· Missionary Work: Sailing was instrumental in the spread of the Gospel. The early Christian missionaries, including Paul, utilized maritime routes to reach new regions, fulfilling the Great Commission to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).

In summary, sailing in the Bible is depicted as both a practical means of transportation and a rich metaphor for the spiritual journey. It underscores themes of faith, divine guidance, and the spread of the Gospel across the known world.(imp. & p. p.) of Sail.5284. hupopleo -- to sail under (ie under the lee of)
... Word Origin from hupo and pleo Definition to sail under (ie under the lee of) NASB
Word Usage sailed under (2), sailed under the shelter (2). sail under. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5284.htm - 6k

1602. ekpleo -- to sail away
... Word Origin from ek and pleo Definition to sail away NASB Word Usage put
out to sea (1), sailed (1), sailed away (1). sail away. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1602.htm - 6k

2787. kibotos -- a wooden box
... kibotos Phonetic Spelling: (kib-o-tos') Short Definition: an ark Definition: (properly:
a wooden box, hence) the Ark, in which Noah sailed; the Ark of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2787.htm - 6k

1277. diapleo -- to sail across
... Word Origin from dia and pleo Definition to sail across NASB Word Usage sailed through
(1). to sail through. From dia and pleo; to sail through -- sail over. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1277.htm - 6k

2668. katapleo -- to sail down
... seas to the shore). Word Origin from kata and pleo Definition to sail down
NASB Word Usage sailed (1). arrive. From kata and pleo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2668.htm - 6k

1020. braduploeo -- to sail slowly
... slowly. Word Origin from bradus and a root akin to pleo Definition to sail
slowly NASB Word Usage sailed slowly (1). sail slowly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1020.htm - 6k

636. apopleo -- to sail away
... sail away. Word Origin from apo and pleo Definition to sail away NASB Word
Usage sail (1), sailed (2), sailing (1). sail away. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/636.htm - 6k

4022. perierchomai -- to go about
... Word Origin from peri and erchomai Definition to go about NASB Word Usage go around
(1), sailed around (1), went from place to place (1), went about (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4022.htm - 6k

How Herod Twice Sailed to Agrippa; and How Upon the Complaint in ...
... CHAPTER 2. How Herod Twice Sailed To Agrippa; And How Upon The Complaint In
Ionia Against The Greeks Agrippa Confirmed The Laws To Them. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how herod twice.htm

How Herod Sailed Out of Italy to Judea, and Fought with Antigonus ...
... CHAPTER 15. How Herod Sailed Out Of Italy To Judea, And Fought With Antigonus
And What Other Things Happened In Judea About That Time. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 how herod sailed.htm

How the People Raised a Sedition against Archelaus, and How He ...
... Banishment Of Archelaus. CHAPTER 9. How The People Raised A Sedition Against
Archelaus, And How He Sailed To Rome. 1. At this time ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how the people.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
... And having sailed from Gaudomeleta, he did not now come through Africa to the parts
of Italy, but ran to Sicily, until he came to the city of Syracuse with the ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostles peter and paul/acts of the holy apostles.htm

Acts xx. 1
... "And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto
them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days ... "And we, sailed," etc. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xliii acts xx 1.htm

Acts XXVII
... 4. "And having put to sea from that place, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because
the winds were contrary." As the proper course of the ship was westward ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxvii.htm

Quaker City Excursion
... State furnished us with letters commending us to the attention of the foreign
governments which we might visit, and on the eighth day of June we sailed out of ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/quaker city excursion.htm

The Ship on Fire --A Voice of Warning
... The other day, there sailed down the Thames as stout a vessel as had ever
ploughed the deep. The good ship "Amazon," had sailed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the ship on firea voice.htm

Trip through Europe and the Holy Land
... Jerusalem, where they were joined by Miss Dickinson of Utica, NY, and the three
traveled together from April 1, 1896 to July 4, when they sailed for America. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/hoskins/clara a swain md/trip through europe and the.htm

Acts xviii. 18
... Homily XL. Acts XVIII. 18. Acts XVIII.18 "And Paul after this tarried there yet
a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xl acts xviii 18.htm

Sailed (28 Occurrences)
...Sailed (28 Occurrences). Mark 6:32 Accordingly they sailed away in the boat to a
solitary place apart. (WEY). Luke 8:23 But as they sailed, he fell asleep. ...
/s/sailed.htm - 14k

Over-against (156 Occurrences)
... of God.' (YLT). Luke 8:26 And they sailed down to the region of the Gadarenes,
that is over-against Galilee, (YLT). Luke 19:30 having ...
/o/over-against.htm - 38k

Sail (32 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) To be conveyed in a vessel on water; to pass by water; as, they sailed from
London to Canton. 10. (n.) To set sail; to begin a voyage. 11. ...
/s/sail.htm - 17k

Cnidus (1 Occurrence)
... A town and harbour on the extreme south-west of the peninsula of Doris in Asia Minor.
Paul sailed past it on his voyage to Rome after leaving Myra (Acts 27:7). ...
/c/cnidus.htm - 9k

Thence (152 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Acts 13:4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost,
departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. ...
/t/thence.htm - 37k

Lee (3 Occurrences)
... Lee (3 Occurrences). Acts 27:4 Putting to sea from there, we sailed under the lee
of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. (WEB WEY ASV DBY RSV NIV). ...
/l/lee.htm - 7k

Troas (6 Occurrences)
... From here, according to Acts 16:8, Paul sailed. ... The port from which Paul sailed was
constructed by means of a mole, with an outer and an inner basin. ...
/t/troas.htm - 11k

Tarried (42 Occurrences)
... Acts 18:18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his
leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla ...
/t/tarried.htm - 18k

Salmone (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A promontory on the east of Crete, under which Paul sailed
on his voyage to Rome (Acts 27:7); the modern Cape Sidero. Int. ...
/s/salmone.htm - 7k

Shelter (36 Occurrences)
... Shelter (36 Occurrences). Acts 27:4 Putting to sea from there, we sailed under
the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. (See NAS). ...
/s/shelter.htm - 17k

What happened on Paul's first missionary journey? | GotQuestions.org

What happened on Paul's second missionary journey? | GotQuestions.org

What happened on Paul's third missionary journey? | GotQuestions.org

Sailed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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