Arts of The: Mariner
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The art of mariner, or seamanship, is a skill that is subtly woven throughout the biblical narrative, reflecting the importance of maritime activities in the ancient world. The Bible, while primarily focused on spiritual and moral teachings, provides glimpses into the life and skills of mariners, highlighting their role in trade, travel, and the spread of the Gospel.

Biblical References and Context

The ancient Israelites, though primarily a land-based people, were not strangers to the sea. The Mediterranean Sea, known as the "Great Sea" in the Bible, was a significant body of water for trade and travel. The Phoenicians, who lived along the coast of what is now Lebanon, were renowned mariners and shipbuilders, and their influence is evident in the biblical text.

In the Old Testament, the construction of ships and the art of navigation are mentioned in several passages. King Solomon, known for his wisdom and wealth, engaged in maritime trade. In 1 Kings 9:26-28 , it is recorded: "King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. And Hiram sent his servants, men who knew the sea, to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s servants. They sailed to Ophir and imported gold from there, bringing 420 talents back to King Solomon."

The prophet Jonah's account provides a vivid depiction of maritime life and the challenges faced by sailors. Jonah 1:4-5 describes a storm at sea: "Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart. The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load." This account highlights the mariners' skills in navigating storms and their reliance on divine intervention.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul's journeys provide further insight into the life of mariners. Paul's travels by sea were crucial for the spread of Christianity. Acts 27 offers a detailed account of one of Paul's voyages, including a shipwreck. Acts 27:27-29 states: "On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea. About midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. They took soundings and found that the water was twenty fathoms deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was fifteen fathoms deep. Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight."

This passage illustrates the mariners' expertise in navigation and their use of soundings to determine their position, as well as their practical measures to ensure safety.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

The sea and maritime activities often serve as metaphors for spiritual truths in the Bible. The unpredictability of the sea is likened to the trials and tribulations of life, while the mariner's reliance on God amidst the storm reflects the believer's dependence on divine guidance. Psalm 107:23-30 poetically captures this theme: "Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish. They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed. They rejoiced in the silence, and He guided them to the harbor they desired."

The art of the mariner, as depicted in the Bible, is not only a testament to human skill and ingenuity but also a reminder of the Creator's sovereignty over the natural world. Mariners, through their craft, bear witness to the wonders of God's creation and His providential care.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Ezekiel 27:8,9
The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were your mariners: your wise men, O Tyrus, that were in you, were your pilots.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Human Arts as Well as Divine Knowledge Proceed from God.
... in all manner of wisdom;" and does not hesitate to call a mariner wise, seeing ... secular
science or art by the one name wisdom (there are other arts and sciences ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iv human arts as well.htm

Extracts No. Ii.
... which our Creator has enabled us to make in the arts and sciences? Why should such
revelation be more important than the use of the mariner's compass, or the ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no ii.htm

The Case of Reason Impartially Considered
... It can direct the mariner to steer his course over the bosom of the great ... is certain
reason can assist us in going through the whole circle of arts and sciences ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 70 the case of.htm

The Progress of the Gospel
... We know that when the use of the mariner's compass, the art of printing, and many ...
history; which contains little more than a detail of the arts and cruelties ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxii the progress of.htm

section i.
... Learning, or Devotion to the Muses, that wiser Princes Patron the Arts, and carry ...
constellations in my Horizon; yet I have seen a prating Mariner, that could ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section i 2.htm

The Birth of England's Foreign Missions
... made on that account before the invention of the mariner's compass, nothing ... without
the gospel, without government, without laws, and without arts, and sciences ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter ii the birth of.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1824 to the ...
... was admitted on trial in the New York conference, and, at the request of the directors
of the seamen's society, was stationed in the Mariner's church, where ...
/.../chapter 8 from the close.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... See DCB, arts. ... Thus, then, the mystic priests belonging to this sect both live
profligately and practise magical arts, each one to the extent of his ability. ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... He passed the day in the midst of men without taking any food; he taught them the
use of letters, sciences and arts of all kinds, the rules for the founding of ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

Book vii. This is the Seventh Book of Our Treatise against the ...
... I who now am venturing out to sea, am a mariner not unused to shipwreck, a ... images,
made of metals or colours or other materials by various arts, reproduce the ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book vii this is the.htm

Resources
What is the difference between miracles and magic? | GotQuestions.org

What sort of outreach ministries should a church have? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about white magic? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Arts

Arts of The: Apothecary or Perfumer

Arts of The: Armourer

Arts of The: Baker

Arts of The: Blacksmith

Arts of The: Brazier

Arts of The: Brick-Maker

Arts of The: Calker

Arts of The: Carpenter

Arts of The: Carver

Arts of The: Confectioner

Arts of The: Dyer

Arts of The: Embalmer

Arts of The: Embroiderer

Arts of The: Engraver

Arts of The: Founder

Arts of The: Fuller

Arts of The: Gardener

Arts of The: Goldsmith

Arts of The: Husbandman

Arts of The: Mariner

Arts of The: Mason

Arts of The: Musician

Arts of The: Potter

Arts of The: Refiner of Metals

Arts of The: Rope Maker

Arts of The: Ship Builder

Arts of The: Silversmith

Arts of The: Smelter of Metals

Arts of The: Spinner

Arts of The: Stone Cutter

Arts of The: Tailor

Arts of The: Tanner

Arts of The: Tent-Maker

Arts of The: Weaver

Arts of The: Wine-Maker

Arts of The: Writer

Related Terms

Wonder-workers (16 Occurrences)

Users (9 Occurrences)

Readers (9 Occurrences)

Enchantment (4 Occurrences)

Curious (18 Occurrences)

Astrology

Witch (2 Occurrences)

Expert (59 Occurrences)

Powers (43 Occurrences)

Chaldaeans (65 Occurrences)

Using (88 Occurrences)

Needlework (23 Occurrences)

Wonder-worker (9 Occurrences)

Maker (55 Occurrences)

Trained (37 Occurrences)

En-dor (3 Occurrences)

Endor (3 Occurrences)

Education (4 Occurrences)

Designer (12 Occurrences)

Mediums (10 Occurrences)

Makers (20 Occurrences)

Medical (10 Occurrences)

Multiply (98 Occurrences)

Performers (3 Occurrences)

Consulted (33 Occurrences)

Calculated (3 Occurrences)

Conjure (2 Occurrences)

Corinth (13 Occurrences)

Attraction (3 Occurrences)

Art (3201 Occurrences)

Spells (5 Occurrences)

Soothsayer (4 Occurrences)

Sponge (3 Occurrences)

Visions (43 Occurrences)

Sounds (64 Occurrences)

Witchcraft (8 Occurrences)

Control (88 Occurrences)

Secret (341 Occurrences)

Child (355 Occurrences)

Future (88 Occurrences)

Cloth (57 Occurrences)

Magic (12 Occurrences)

Signs (127 Occurrences)

Positions (41 Occurrences)

Architecture

Archaeology

Reading (58 Occurrences)

Trade (33 Occurrences)

Handworker (1 Occurrence)

Crafts (2 Occurrences)

Phoenicians

Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)

Substance (99 Occurrences)

Perform (155 Occurrences)

Strange (234 Occurrences)

Questions (76 Occurrences)

Best (252 Occurrences)

Moving (117 Occurrences)

Value (138 Occurrences)

Valued (27 Occurrences)

Zidon (25 Occurrences)

Needing (9 Occurrences)

Nineveh (23 Occurrences)

Nation (192 Occurrences)

Nonsense (4 Occurrences)

Useful (14 Occurrences)

Unnatural (9 Occurrences)

User (2 Occurrences)

Omens (3 Occurrences)

Overthrows (6 Occurrences)

Life-giving (5 Occurrences)

Law (670 Occurrences)

Liberal (11 Occurrences)

Galbanum (1 Occurrence)

Wonder-working (4 Occurrences)

Whisper (9 Occurrences)

Infamy (8 Occurrences)

Interpreters (3 Occurrences)

Arts of The: Husbandman
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