The term "ship-master" refers to the individual responsible for the command and navigation of a ship. In biblical times, ship-masters played a crucial role in the trade and transportation systems of ancient civilizations, particularly in regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The Bible provides several references to ship-masters, highlighting their significance in maritime activities and their interactions with biblical figures.

Biblical References:

1. Jonah 1:6 : "The captain approached him and said, 'How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Perhaps this god will consider us, so that we will not perish.'" In this passage, the ship-master, referred to as the captain, plays a pivotal role during the storm that threatens the ship carrying Jonah. The ship-master's actions demonstrate his authority and responsibility for the safety of the vessel and its crew. His decision to seek divine intervention underscores the desperation and urgency of the situation.

2. Acts 27:11 : "But contrary to Paul's advice, the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and by the owner of the ship." Here, the ship-master, also known as the pilot, is involved in the decision-making process regarding the ship's journey. Despite Paul's warning, the centurion chooses to trust the expertise of the ship-master and the ship's owner. This passage illustrates the ship-master's influence and the trust placed in his navigational skills.

3. Revelation 18:17 : "For in a single hour such great wealth has been destroyed!' Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance." In this apocalyptic vision, ship-masters are depicted as part of the maritime community that witnesses the downfall of Babylon. Their presence in this scene highlights the interconnectedness of commerce and the sea, as well as the impact of divine judgment on economic systems.

Role and Responsibilities:

In the ancient world, ship-masters were responsible for the overall management of the ship, including navigation, cargo handling, and crew supervision. They needed to possess extensive knowledge of the sea, weather patterns, and celestial navigation. The ship-master's expertise was crucial for the success of long voyages, which were often fraught with danger due to unpredictable weather and the threat of piracy.

Cultural and Economic Significance:

Ship-masters were integral to the economic prosperity of ancient societies, facilitating trade and cultural exchange across vast distances. The Mediterranean Sea, in particular, was a hub of commercial activity, with ship-masters playing a key role in the transport of goods such as grain, wine, and olive oil. Their work contributed to the spread of ideas and technologies, influencing the development of civilizations.

Spiritual Implications:

The Bible's references to ship-masters often carry spiritual implications, emphasizing themes of divine providence, human responsibility, and the limits of human control. The account of Jonah, for example, illustrates the futility of human efforts without divine guidance, while the account in Acts highlights the tension between human wisdom and divine revelation. In Revelation, the ship-masters' lamentation over Babylon's fall serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly wealth and power.

Overall, the figure of the ship-master in the Bible serves as a symbol of leadership, responsibility, and the complex interplay between human endeavor and divine sovereignty.3490. naukleros -- a shipowner, shipmaster
... a shipowner, shipmaster. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: naukleros
Phonetic Spelling: (now'-klay-ros) Short Definition: a master of a ship ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3490.htm - 6k

2942. kubernetes -- a steersman, pilot
... steersman, pilot NASB Word Usage pilot (1), shipmaster (1). pilot, captain. From
the same as kubernesis; helmsman, ie (by implication) captain -- (ship) master. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2942.htm - 6k

2259. chobel -- sailor
... pilot, shipmaster. Active participle from chabal (in the sense of handling ropes);
a sailor -- pilot, shipmaster. see HEBREW chabal. 2258, 2259. chobel. 2260 ...
/hebrew/2259.htm - 6k

7227. rab -- much, many, great
... elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough,
(time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), ((ship-))master, mighty, more ...
/hebrew/7227.htm - 6k

Acts of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
... And Dioscorus the shipmaster, who brought him to Syracuse, sympathizing with Paul
because he had delivered his son from death, having left his own ship in ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostles peter and paul/acts of the holy apostles.htm

Rhodo and his Account of the Dissension of Marcion.
... Tertullian calls Marcion a ship-master (Adv. Marc. III. ... 30). There is, therefore,
no reason to doubt that he was a "ship-master," as Tertullian calls him. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xiii rhodo and his account.htm

The Heart of the Gospel
... Then the merchant whose vessel was moored by the quay said to his shipmaster, "Take
thou good heed that thou bring nothing back with thee from Alexandria but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the heart of the gospel.htm

How to Discern Our Title to the Saints' Rest.
... as a ship-master that should let his vessel alone, and say, "I will venture it among
the rocks, and waves, and winds; I will trust God with it; it will speed ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter viii how to discern.htm

The Vessel of the Church.
... Let, therefore, God be your shipmaster; and let the pilot be likened to Christ,
the mate [898] to the bishop, and the sailors to the deacons, the midshipmen to ...
/.../unknown/epistle of peter to james/chapter xiv the vessel of the.htm

Comparative Lateness of Heresies. Marcion's Heresy Some Personal ...
... Character of This Man; Philumene; Valentinus; Nigidius, and Hermogenes. Where was
Marcion then, that shipmaster of Pontus, the zealous student of Stoicism? ...
/.../chapter xxx comparative lateness of heresies.htm

He is Our Peace.
... The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus the Master sends to represent Himself. He steps aboard
at once. He paces the deck as the ship's Master. His presence is peace. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/he is our peace.htm

Guilty Silence and Its Reward
... But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast
asleep.6. So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/guilty silence and its reward.htm

Community in Certain Points of Marcionite and Jewish Error ...
... Our shipmaster [3160] of course got his craft-wisdom not from the Rhodian law,
[3161] but from the Pontic, [3162] which cautioned him against believing that ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter vi community in certain points.htm

Introductory the Apostle Paul Himself not the Preacher of a New ...
... Wherefore, O shipmaster of Pontus, [5202] if you have never taken on board your
small craft [5203] any contraband goods or smuggler's cargo, if you have never ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter i introductory the apostle paul.htm

Shipmaster (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHIPMASTER. ship'-mas-ter. See SHIPS AND BOATS;
PHOENIX. Multi-Version Concordance Shipmaster (2 Occurrences). ...
/s/shipmaster.htm - 7k

Ship-master (2 Occurrences)
Ship-master. Shipmaster, Ship-master. Shipmasters . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Shipmaster, Ship-master. Shipmasters . Reference Bible.
/s/ship-master.htm - 7k

Shipmasters (1 Occurrence)
... Revelation 18:17 And every shipmaster, and all the company upon the ships, and
sailors, and as many as work the sea, far off stood, (See RSV). ...
/s/shipmasters.htm - 6k

Naught (40 Occurrences)
... naught. And every ship-master, and all the company in ships, and sailors,
and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, (WBS). Genesis ...
/n/naught.htm - 19k

Travel (25 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:17 because in one short hour all this great wealth has been laid waste!'
And every shipmaster and every passenger by sea and the crews and all ...
/t/travel.htm - 14k

Earn (6 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:17 For in an hour such great riches are made desolate.' Every shipmaster,
and everyone who sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain ...
/e/earn.htm - 8k

Meanest (4 Occurrences)
... these? (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Jonah 1:6 So the shipmaster came to him, and
said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call ...
/m/meanest.htm - 7k

Maybe (5 Occurrences)
... Maybe he will save your life." (WEB). Jonah 1:6 So the shipmaster came to him, and
said to him, "What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God! ...
/m/maybe.htm - 8k

Mariners (7 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:17 For in an hour such great riches are made desolate.' Every shipmaster,
and everyone who sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain ...
/m/mariners.htm - 8k

Master (346 Occurrences)
... of a feast)," the Revised Version (British and American) "ruler"; John 2:9, "ruler
of the feast"; [rabh] (Daniel 1:3 Jonah 1:6, "shipmaster"); rabh, Aramaic ...
/m/master.htm - 40k

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