Ships: Employed in Carrying Passengers
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In biblical times, ships were a vital means of transportation, facilitating the movement of people across bodies of water. The use of ships for carrying passengers is documented in several instances throughout the Scriptures, highlighting their importance in the ancient world.

One of the most notable references to passenger ships in the Bible is found in the account of the Apostle Paul's journeys. In the Book of Acts, Paul frequently traveled by ship during his missionary journeys. Acts 27 provides a detailed narrative of one such voyage, where Paul, as a prisoner, was being transported to Rome. The passage describes the ship's journey, the challenges faced, and the eventual shipwreck. "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). This account underscores the use of ships for transporting not only goods but also people, including prisoners and travelers.

Another significant mention of passenger ships is found in the account of Jonah. Jonah, attempting to flee from God's command, boarded a ship bound for Tarshish. "But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD" (Jonah 1:3). This narrative illustrates the availability of ships for passenger travel and the common practice of paying a fare for passage.

The Gospels also provide insight into the use of ships for carrying passengers. Jesus and His disciples frequently traveled by boat across the Sea of Galilee. In Mark 4:35-36, it is recorded, "When that evening came, He said to His disciples, 'Let us cross to the other side.' After they had dismissed the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat, just as He was. And there were other boats with Him" . This passage highlights the use of boats for short-distance travel and the presence of multiple vessels, indicating a common practice of passenger transport on the water.

The use of ships for carrying passengers in biblical times reflects the broader historical context of maritime travel in the ancient Near East and the Mediterranean region. Ships were essential for trade, communication, and the spread of ideas, including the message of the Gospel. The biblical accounts of passenger ships provide valuable insights into the daily life and logistical challenges faced by people in the biblical era, as well as the divine interventions and lessons that occurred during these journeys.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Jonah 1:3
But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 27:2,6
And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 28:11
And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

India as Carey Found It
... was a corrupt but rapid torrent, poisoning the soul and carrying it down to ... Company
even gave them a free passage in its ships, and employed the sculptor ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter iii india as carey.htm

1875-1877. Mrs. Way's Sewing --Class for Jewesses --Bible Flower ...
... magnetic attraction to our ironclads, and more ships have been ... devoted to the children,
and to carrying forward the ... farm for the firm by whom he was employed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vi 1875-1877 mrs ways.htm

Prayers Answered
... up, and I had no other means of carrying it on ... In this apparently helpless state,
I employed a man to take ... wind drove them out of the course of ships, northward ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/prayers answered.htm

Down the Islands
... as those of a Doric temple, each carrying a flat ... the capitalists, but of the coloured
people who are employed. ... Sir Samuel Hood saw that French ships passing to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter ii down the islands.htm

The Memphite Empire
... hands on, took possession of herds of animals, and, without carrying their depredations ...
In the mines, as in their own houses, the workmen employed stone tools ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... their banks and factories; their ships"Cyprus, its ... beginning of their Asiatic wars;
they employed it in ... the royal architects charged with carrying out their ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... expedition against Athens itself, and he employed the year ... the sheer weight of his
ships and battalions ... with little difficulty dissuaded from carrying this whim ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... nineteenth year (being the eleventh of Zedekiah, 2 Kings 25:8). Not until the
twenty-third year of his reign did Nebuchadnezzar complete the carrying away of ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

[Endnotes]
... With regard to the dimensions of the ships of the ... The ship of St Paul had, in passengers
and crew, 276 ... to praitorio]""We never find the word employed for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/endnotes.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... her second state is in the days of antichrist, and answereth to the carrying away
of ... learn war any more' (Micah 4:1-3). There brake he 'the ships of Tarshish ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Resources
Is there any truth to the Bermuda Triangle conspiracy theories? | GotQuestions.org

What is Ugaritic, and what does it have to do with the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Do the news reports of rivers turning blood red have anything to do with the end times? | GotQuestions.org

Ships: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Ships

Ships and Boats

Ships of Adramyttium

Ships of Alexandria

Ships of Chaldea

Ships of Chittim

Ships of Industrious Women

Ships of Tarshish

Ships of Tyre

Ships were often Wrecked

Ships: (Wrecked) Departure from the Faith

Ships: Antiquity of, Among the Jews

Ships: Commanded by a Master

Ships: Course of Frequently Directed by the Heavenly Bodies

Ships: Course of, Through the Midst of the Sea, Wonderful

Ships: Employed in Carrying Passengers

Ships: Employed in Fishing

Ships: Employed in Trading

Ships: Employed in War

Ships: Endangered by Quicksands

Ships: Endangered by Rocks

Ships: Endangered by Storms

Ships: Gallant

Ships: Generally Impelled by Sails

Ships: Generally Made of the Fir Tree

Ships: Governed and Directed by the Helm

Ships: Guided in Their Course by Pilots

Ships: Large

Ships: Navigated: Lakes

Ships: Navigated: Rivers

Ships: Navigated: The Ocean

Ships: Often Impelled by Oars

Ships: Often the Property of Individuals

Ships: Parts of Mentioned: The Anchors

Ships: Parts of Mentioned: The Boats

Ships: Parts of Mentioned: The Forepart or Foreship

Ships: Parts of Mentioned: The Hinder Part or Stern

Ships: Parts of Mentioned: The Hold or Between the Sides

Ships: Parts of Mentioned: The Mast

Ships: Parts of Mentioned: The Oars

Ships: Parts of Mentioned: The Rudder or Helm

Ships: Parts of Mentioned: The Rudder-Bands

Ships: Parts of Mentioned: The Sails

Ships: Parts of Mentioned: The Tackling

Ships: Probably Originated from the Ark Made by Noah

Ships: Solomon Built a Navy of

Ships: Sometimes Made of Bulrushes

Ships: Soundings Usually Taken For, in Dangerous Places

Ships: Strong

Ships: Swift

Ships: The Hinder Part of, Occupied by the Passengers

Ships: The Seams of, Were Caulked

Ships: Usually Distinguished by Signs or Figure Heads

Ships: when Damaged Were Sometimes Undergirded With Cables

Ships: Worked by Mariners or Sailors

Related Terms

Log (12 Occurrences)

Foul (41 Occurrences)

Entry (36 Occurrences)

Shipwreck (3 Occurrences)

Boats (11 Occurrences)

Ships (46 Occurrences)

Navigation (2 Occurrences)

Overboard (5 Occurrences)

Large (235 Occurrences)

Gear (3 Occurrences)

Graving (7 Occurrences)

Fine (184 Occurrences)

Tackle (1 Occurrence)

Reckoning (32 Occurrences)

Rider (26 Occurrences)

Drift (1 Occurrence)

Drop (32 Occurrences)

Dagger (6 Occurrences)

Drag (19 Occurrences)

Main-sail

Metal (69 Occurrences)

Millstone (9 Occurrences)

Manifest (74 Occurrences)

Mainsail (1 Occurrence)

Murderer (17 Occurrences)

Prick (2 Occurrences)

Bottom (33 Occurrences)

Bearing (150 Occurrences)

Controller (10 Occurrences)

Captain (167 Occurrences)

Chips (2 Occurrences)

Copper (55 Occurrences)

Company (287 Occurrences)

Anchor (4 Occurrences)

Arming (6 Occurrences)

Sleeper (3 Occurrences)

Safe (388 Occurrences)

Splinter (5 Occurrences)

Spare (80 Occurrences)

Sailing (23 Occurrences)

Strain (5 Occurrences)

Heel (8 Occurrences)

Mill (9 Occurrences)

Threw (133 Occurrences)

Third (192 Occurrences)

Siege (63 Occurrences)

Sleeping (69 Occurrences)

Though (623 Occurrences)

Chance (78 Occurrences)

Ships: Course of, Through the Midst of the Sea, Wonderful
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