Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "mast" refers to the structure on a ship that supports the sails, enabling navigation and movement across bodies of water. The concept of a mast is mentioned in the context of seafaring, which was a significant aspect of ancient Near Eastern culture and commerce.
Biblical References:The most direct reference to a mast in the Bible is found in the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 33:23 states, "Your rigging hangs loose; it cannot hold the mast firm in its place or keep the sail spread out." This passage metaphorically describes a state of vulnerability and instability, using the imagery of a ship with a loose rigging and an unsecured mast. The context of this verse is a prophecy concerning the judgment and eventual deliverance of Jerusalem, where the imagery of a ship in disarray symbolizes the precarious situation of the city before divine intervention.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient world, ships were essential for trade, travel, and military endeavors. The mast was a critical component of a ship's design, allowing it to harness the power of the wind through sails. Ships with sturdy masts were better equipped to navigate the Mediterranean Sea and other bodies of water, facilitating the exchange of goods and cultural interactions between different regions.
The construction of a mast required skilled craftsmanship, as it needed to be both strong and flexible to withstand the forces of wind and waves. The materials used for masts typically included durable woods, such as cedar or fir, which were prized for their strength and resilience.
Symbolic Significance:In biblical literature, the imagery of ships and the sea often carries symbolic meanings. Ships can represent human endeavors, journeys, and the uncertainties of life. The mast, as a central part of the ship, can symbolize stability, direction, and the ability to move forward despite challenges. Conversely, a broken or unstable mast can signify chaos, lack of direction, or impending disaster.
The metaphor of a ship with a loose rigging and an unsecured mast in
Isaiah 33:23 serves to illustrate the futility of relying on human strength and wisdom without divine guidance. It underscores the need for faith and trust in God's providence, especially in times of crisis.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, the imagery of the mast and ship can be seen as a reminder of the importance of spiritual steadfastness and reliance on God. Just as a ship requires a well-secured mast to navigate the seas, believers are called to anchor their lives in the teachings and promises of Scripture, trusting in God's sovereignty and provision.
In summary, the concept of the mast in the Bible, while not extensively detailed, provides rich imagery for understanding themes of stability, direction, and reliance on divine guidance in the midst of life's uncertainties.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The fruit of the oak and beech, or other forest trees; nuts; acorns.
2. (n.) A pole, or long, strong, round piece of timber, or spar, set upright in a boat or vessel, to sustain the sails, yards, rigging, etc. A mast may also consist of several pieces of timber united by iron bands, or of a hollow pillar of iron or steel.
3. (n.) The vertical post of a derrick or crane.
4. (v. t.) To furnish with a mast or masts; to put the masts of in position; as, to mast a ship.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MASTSeeSHIPS AND BOATS, II, 2, (3); 3.
Strong's Hebrew
8650. toren -- amast... 8649b, 8650. toren. 8651 . a
mast. Transliteration: toren Phonetic Spelling:
(to'-ren) Short Definition:
mast. Word Origin of uncertain
...2260. chibbel -- probably amast
... 2259, 2260. chibbel. 2260a . probably amast. Transliteration: chibbel
Phonetic Spelling: (khib-bale') Short Definition:mast.mast...
2260a. chibbel -- probably amast
... chibbel. 2260b . probably amast. Transliteration: chibbel Short Definition:mast.
Word Origin from chebel Definition probably amast NASB Word Usagemast (1)...
Library
Talks to the Indians
... sailor cried out, "Now everyone must take care of himself." I told him, "God will
take care for us all." Almost as soon as the words were spoken, themast fell...
The Mildness of the Yellow Press
... Nailed to theMast! Nailed to theMast!" In the whole office there was
apparently no compositor or office-boy to point out that...
Dialogue ii. --The Unconfounded.
... Orth."And if you undertook to be a ship builder, and saw that themast wanted repair,
would you try to mend it in the same way as you would the tiller?...
Justification by Grace
... a man-of-war, whose son"a young lad"was very fond of running up the rigging of the
ship; and one time, running after a monkey, he ran up themast, till at...
Justin Justifies his Departure from Greek Customs.
... [2496] That is, the manner in which he did it, stopping his companions' ears
with wax, and having himself bound to themast of his ship....
A Strain of Jonah the Prophet.
... And, from on high, her labouring mass of yard. Creaks shuddering; and the
tree-likemast itself. 65 Bends to the gale, misdoubting to be riven....
Christian Morals. Part I.
... In this virtuous voyage of thy life hull not about like the ark, without
the use of rudder,mast, or sail, and bound for no port....
The Second Continental Journey.
... One of our shipmen being busy about the sails, part of a beam fell from the
top-mast and struck him on the head. He never spoke more, but died instantly....
The Changed Life
... pushed it on? When one attempts to sanctify himself by effort, he is trying
to make his boat go by pushing against themast. He is...
Sundry Sharp Reproofs
... It is with most people as with a man on the top of amast; the winds blow and the
waves beat, and the ship is in danger of ship wreck, and he is fast asleep....
Thesaurus
Mast (4 Occurrences)... A
mast may also consist of several pieces of timber united by iron bands, or of
a hollow pillar of iron or steel.
...MAST. See SHIPS AND BOATS, II, 2, (3); 3.
...Fish (66 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A purchase used to fish the anchor. 8. (n.) A piece of timber, somewhat
in the form of a fish, used to strengthen amast or yard....
Top (880 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) The head, or upper part, of a plant. 9. (n.) A platform surrounding
the head of the lowermast and projecting on all sides....
Beacon (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:17). In Isaiah 33:23 and Ezek. 27:5, the same word is rendered
"mast." (see Banner.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A...
Step (41 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To set, as the foot. 6. (vt) To fix the foot of (amast) in its step; to
erect. 7. (n.) An advance or movement made by one removal of the foot; a pace....
Shin (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To climb amast, tree, rope, or the like, by embracing it alternately with
the arms and legs, without help of steps, spurs, or the like; -- used with up...
Ship (122 Occurrences)
... a vessel furnished with a bowsprit and three masts (a mainmast, a foremast, and
a mizzenmast), each of which is composed of a lowermast, a topmast, and a...
Spring (122 Occurrences)
... 11. (vt) To cause to explode; as, to spring a mine. 12. (vt) To crack or split;
to bend or strain so as to weaken; as, to spring amast or a yard. 13....
Stay (221 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A large, strong rope, employed to support amast, by being extended from
the head of onemast down to some other, or to some part of the vessel....
Boats (11 Occurrences)
... Thy tacklings (ropes, cables) are loosed; they could not strengthen the foot of
theirmast, they could not spread the sail" (Isaiah 33:21, 23)....
Resources
What are the Christian themes in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader? | GotQuestions.orgMast: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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