Topical Bible: Ships: Often the Property of Individuals

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In biblical times, ships played a crucial role in trade, travel, and warfare. They were often owned by individuals, reflecting the economic and social structures of ancient societies. The ownership of ships by private individuals is evident in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting their significance in the daily life and commerce of the time.

One of the most notable examples of individual ship ownership is found in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul frequently traveled by ship during his missionary journeys. In Acts 27, Paul is a prisoner being transported to Rome, and the narrative provides insight into the ownership and operation of ships. The ship mentioned in this chapter was likely owned by a private individual or a group of merchants, as it was engaged in commercial activities, transporting grain from Alexandria to Italy. Acts 27:6 states, "There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board."

The Old Testament also provides examples of individual ship ownership. In 1 Kings 9:26-28, King Solomon is described as having a fleet of ships, which he used for trade and acquiring wealth. While these ships were part of the royal fleet, they were likely managed by individuals who were responsible for their operation and maintenance. The passage reads, "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. They sailed to Ophir and imported gold from there—420 talents—and delivered it to Solomon."

In the book of Jonah, we see another instance of individual ship ownership. Jonah 1:3 describes Jonah boarding a ship bound for Tarshish, which was likely owned by private merchants engaged in trade. The verse states, "But Jonah ran away to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD."

The ownership of ships by individuals was not only a matter of economic necessity but also a reflection of the entrepreneurial spirit of the time. Ships were valuable assets, often representing significant investments. They enabled individuals to engage in long-distance trade, which was essential for the exchange of goods and cultural interactions between different regions.

In summary, the Bible provides several examples of ships being owned by individuals, highlighting their importance in ancient commerce and travel. These ships facilitated trade, exploration, and the spread of the Gospel, playing a vital role in the biblical narrative and the historical context of the times.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 27:11
Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Preparations for the Invasion of Greece.
... that it should be, as owners of property always prefer ... from time to time, in transport
ships, as fast ... only real safeguard of wealth was, often, the concealment ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter iv preparations for the.htm

Dwight -- the Sovereignty of God
... The merchant often beholds with a despairing eye his own ships sunk in ... to be a cheat,
who deceives his confidence and runs away with his property. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/dwight the sovereignty of.htm

Essay vi. "The Way of Ancient Ordinance, Though it Winds, is yet ...
... the hill of vines, Honouring the holy bounds of property! ... said no more than he had
often previously declared ... his men, to the particular ships themselves, his ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/essay vi the way of.htm

Essay v. Whose Powers Shed Round Him in the Common Strife...
... of others on subjects of importance often accompanies feeble ... nobility follow the
law of their property, and are ... bring with him to Malta the ships laden with ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/essay v whose powers shed.htm

Contradiction Between Our Life and Our Christian Conscience.
... in their wisdom or justice, and often clearly perceives ... pernicious the distribution
of landed property, but we ... Fortresses, arsenals, and ships are built, new ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter v contradiction between our.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... Their numbers were not more than sufficient to supply men for their ships, and they
were often obliged to have recourse to their allies or to mercenary tribes ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Carey's Immediate Influence in Great Britain and America
... to my nephew Eustace by these ships, but I am ... Accounts, wherein Fuller had undoubtedly
too often published letters ... paid out of your private property seems to ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xiii careys immediate influence.htm

Paul's Epistles; his Collection for the Poor Saints at Jerusalem ...
... of Pentecost, those of them who had property "sold their ... with peculiar honour; for
its ships alone were ... of Roman conquest, slaves were often transported from ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ix pauls epistles his.htm

His Journey to South Russia.
... near the harbor there was a line of ships of war ... appreciated our motive in visiting
them; they often pressed my ... bred in the streets and are the property of the ...
/.../chapter xix his journey to.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... The ships sailed down to the Tigris and across the ... We hear of a father transferring
his property to his ... did not apply to concubines, who were often purchased. ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm