Seafaring in the Bible is a significant theme that reflects the ancient world's reliance on maritime activities for trade, travel, and communication. The Bible contains numerous references to the sea, ships, and sailors, illustrating both the perils and the opportunities associated with seafaring.

Biblical References to the Sea and Ships

The sea is often depicted as a place of mystery and danger in the Bible. In the Old Testament, the Mediterranean Sea, known as the "Great Sea," is frequently mentioned. The Israelites, primarily a land-based people, had limited direct involvement in seafaring, but they interacted with seafaring nations such as the Phoenicians and the Egyptians.

One of the earliest references to seafaring is found in Genesis 49:13, where Jacob blesses his son Zebulun, saying, "Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a haven for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon." This indicates the tribe's proximity to maritime activities.

The construction of ships is mentioned in the context of King Solomon's reign. In 1 Kings 9:26-27, it is recorded, "King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea. And Hiram sent his servants, men who knew the sea, to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s servants." This collaboration with the Phoenicians highlights the importance of seafaring for trade and wealth.

Seafaring in the New Testament

In the New Testament, seafaring becomes more prominent, particularly in the Acts of the Apostles. The Apostle Paul undertook several missionary journeys that involved sea travel. One of the most detailed accounts is found in Acts 27, where Paul is shipwrecked on his way to Rome. Acts 27:41 describes the event: "But the vessel struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was being broken up by the pounding of the waves."

The sea also serves as a metaphor for the challenges and trials faced by believers. In Matthew 8:24-27, Jesus calms a storm while on a boat with His disciples, demonstrating His authority over nature: "Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We are perishing!' 'You of little faith,' Jesus replied, 'why are you so afraid?' Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm."

Symbolism and Lessons

The sea often symbolizes chaos and the unknown, yet it is also a place where God's power and providence are revealed. In Psalm 107:23-30, those who "go down to the sea in ships" witness God's wonders in the deep. The passage describes how God calms the storm, leading sailors to their desired haven, illustrating His sovereignty and care.

Seafaring in the Bible teaches lessons of faith, trust, and reliance on God's protection amidst life's uncertainties. The narratives of seafaring underscore the importance of obedience to God's will and the assurance of His presence, even in the most tumultuous circumstances.(a.) Following the business of a mariner; as, a seafaring man.

Prayer and Science
... But be that as it may, this I say, that, of all men, seafaring men are the most
likely to solve this great puzzle about the limits of science and of religion ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon iii prayer and science.htm

A Total Wreck, all Hands Saved
... ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.'"Acts
27 30-44. The Jews were not seafaring people. Their coast ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a total wreck all hands.htm

By Way of Leading up to his Proof that Christ is not Different ...
... This monster's cavern, your sacred Majesty, thick laid, as seafaring men do say
it is, with hidden lairs, and all the neighbourhood thereof, where the rocks of ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi by way of.htm

Preaching to a Press-Gang
... Thursday, March 11."I rode to Pill and preached to a large and attentive
congregation. A great part of them were seafaring men. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/preaching to a press-gang.htm

The Ecstasy of Saint Monnica
... Amid this rather vulgar activity, in a noise of trade and seafaring, a mystic scene
develops where the purified love of mother and son gleams upon us as in a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the ecstasy of saint.htm

Community in Certain Points of Marcionite and Jewish Error ...
... [3162] Symbol of barbarism and ignorance--a heavy joke against the once seafaring
heretic. [3163] Ignoratus, "rejected of men.". [3164] Isaiah 29:14. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter vi community in certain points.htm

Introductory the Apostle Paul Himself not the Preacher of a New ...
... [5202] Marcion is frequently called "Ponticus Nauclerus," probably less on account
of his own connection with a seafaring life, than that of his countrymen ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter i introductory the apostle paul.htm

What was Heard in the Basilica of Peace
... audience of those men who wear an earring as a talisman; of the dealings between
traders and sailors"a comparison which would go home to this seafaring people ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii what was heard in.htm

Prayer.
... voyages to foreign parts: and often never came back again, dying far from home,
of fever, of wreck, of some of the hundred accidents which befal seafaring men. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon iv prayer.htm

A Startling Statement
... The practiced eye of the seafaring man saw something that caused him suddenly to
turn and breast his way back to the ship. The line was too short. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/a startling statement.htm

Seafaring (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Following the business of a mariner; as, a seafaring
man. Multi-Version Concordance Seafaring (2 Occurrences). ...
/s/seafaring.htm - 7k

Boats (11 Occurrences)
... I. The Hebrews and the Sea. The Hebrews were a pastoral and agricultural
people, and had no inducements to follow a seafaring life. ...
/b/boats.htm - 40k

Ships (46 Occurrences)
... I. The Hebrews and the Sea. The Hebrews were a pastoral and agricultural
people, and had no inducements to follow a seafaring life. ...
/s/ships.htm - 53k

Vanished (13 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 26:17 They shall take up a lamentation over you, and tell you, How you are
destroyed, who were inhabited by seafaring men, the renowned city, who was ...
/v/vanished.htm - 10k

Imposed (16 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 26:17 They shall take up a lamentation over you, and tell you, How you are
destroyed, who were inhabited by seafaring men, the renowned city, who was ...
/i/imposed.htm - 11k

Tiras (2 Occurrences)
... This brilliant suggestion has since been confirmed by the discovery of the name
Turusa among the seafaring peoples who invaded Egypt in the reign of Merenptah ...
/t/tiras.htm - 8k

Renowned (15 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 26:17 They shall take up a lamentation over you, and tell you, How you are
destroyed, who were inhabited by seafaring men, the renowned city, who was ...
/r/renowned.htm - 10k

Renown (24 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 26:17 They shall take up a lamentation over you, and tell you, How you are
destroyed, who were inhabited by seafaring men, the renowned city, who was ...
/r/renown.htm - 14k

Mainland (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 26:17 They shall take up a lamentation over you, and tell you, How you are
destroyed, who were inhabited by seafaring men, the renowned city, who was ...
/m/mainland.htm - 7k

Peopled (11 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 26:17 And they shall take up a lamentation over thee, and say to thee, How
art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited by seafaring men, the renowned city ...
/p/peopled.htm - 10k

Who were the Philistines? | GotQuestions.org

Seafaring: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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