Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the sail was an essential component of maritime travel and trade, playing a significant role in the economic and cultural exchanges of the ancient Near East. The use of sails allowed for the navigation of the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and other bodies of water mentioned in the Bible. While the Bible does not provide detailed descriptions of sails, their presence is implied in various passages that reference ships and seafaring.
Biblical References:1.
Isaiah 33:23 · "Your ropes are slack; they cannot secure the mast or spread the sail. Then an abundance of spoils will be divided, and even the lame will carry off plunder." This verse metaphorically describes a ship in disarray, unable to spread its sail due to slack ropes, symbolizing a state of vulnerability and impending defeat. The imagery of a sail here underscores the importance of preparedness and strength.
2.
Ezekiel 27:7 · "Of fine embroidered linen from Egypt was your sail, which served as your banner; your awnings were of blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah." In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel describes the grandeur of Tyre, a prominent maritime city. The sail, made of fine embroidered linen from Egypt, signifies wealth and prestige, serving not only as a functional part of the ship but also as a symbol of the city's opulence and far-reaching trade connections.
3.
Acts 27:40 · "So they cut away the anchors and left them in the sea, and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach." This account of Paul's journey to Rome provides a glimpse into the practical use of sails in navigation. The hoisting of the foresail to catch the wind demonstrates the reliance on sails for steering and propulsion, especially in critical situations.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient world, sails were typically made from materials such as linen or wool, and their construction required skilled craftsmanship. The design and size of sails varied depending on the type of vessel and its intended use. Merchant ships, warships, and fishing boats all utilized sails to harness the wind, enabling them to travel greater distances and carry heavier loads than would be possible with oars alone.
The development of sailing technology was crucial for the expansion of trade networks and the spread of cultures and ideas. The Phoenicians, for example, were renowned for their seafaring abilities and played a significant role in the dissemination of goods and knowledge across the Mediterranean.
Symbolism and Theological Insights:In Scripture, the sail can symbolize human endeavor and the reliance on divine providence. Just as sailors depend on the wind to fill their sails and guide their journey, believers are called to trust in God's guidance and provision. The imagery of a sail catching the wind can also represent the Holy Spirit's influence in the life of a Christian, propelling them forward in their spiritual journey.
The sail, as a part of the ship, also serves as a metaphor for the Church. Just as a ship relies on its sail to navigate the waters, the Church relies on the Holy Spirit to guide and empower its mission in the world. This imagery encourages believers to remain open to the Spirit's leading and to work together in unity to fulfill their God-given purpose.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An extent of canvas or other fabric by means of which the wind is made serviceable as a power for propelling vessels through the water.
2. (n.) Anything resembling a sail, or regarded as a sail.
3. (n.) A wing; a van.
4. (n.) The extended surface of the arm of a windmill.
5. (n.) A sailing vessel; a vessel of any kind; a craft.
6. (n.) A passage by a sailing vessel; a journey or excursion upon the water.
7. (n.) To be impelled or driven forward by the action of wind upon sails, as a ship on water; to be impelled on a body of water by the action of steam or other power.
8. (n.) To move through or on the water; to swim, as a fish or a water fowl.
9. (n.) To be conveyed in a vessel on water; to pass by water; as, they sailed from London to Canton.
10. (n.) To set sail; to begin a voyage.
11. (n.) To move smoothly through the air; to glide through the air without apparent exertion, as a bird.
12. (v. t.) To pass or move upon, as in a ship, by means of sails; hence, to move or journey upon (the water) by means of steam or other force.
13. (v. t.) To fly through; to glide or move smoothly through.
14. (v. t.) To direct or manage the motion of, as a vessel; as, to sail one's own ship.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SAIL; SAILORsal, sal'-er.
SeeSHIPS AND BOATS, II, 2, (3); III, 2.
Greek
1602. ekpleo -- tosail away... to
sail away. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekpleo Phonetic Spelling:
(ek-pleh'-o) Short Definition: I
sail out,
sail away Definition: I
sail out (of
...3896. parapleo -- tosail by or past
... tosail by or past. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: parapleo Phonetic Spelling:
(par-ap-leh'-o) Short Definition: Isail past Definition: Isail past...
636. apopleo -- tosail away
... tosail away. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apopleo Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-op-leh'-o) Short Definition: Isail away Definition: Isail away....
5284. hupopleo -- tosail under (ie under the lee of)
... tosail under (ie under the lee of). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupopleo
Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-op-leh'-o) Short Definition: Isail under Definition...
3881. paralegomai -- tosail past or coast along
... tosail past or coast along. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: paralegomai Phonetic
Spelling: (par-al-eg'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I coast along,sail...
4126. pleo -- tosail
... tosail. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pleo Phonetic Spelling: (pleh'-o)
Short Definition: Isail Definition: Isail, travel by sea, voyage....
1277. diapleo -- tosail across
... tosail across. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diapleo Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-ap-leh'-o) Short Definition: Isail over Definition: Isail over (across)....
1020. braduploeo -- tosail slowly
... tosail slowly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: braduploeo Phonetic Spelling:
(brad-oo-plo-eh'-o) Short Definition: Isail slowly Definition: Isail slowly...
2668. katapleo -- tosail down
... tosail down. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katapleo Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-ap-leh'-o) Short Definition: Isail down Definition: Isail down (from the...
3607. othone -- fine linen, hence a sheet orsail
... fine linen, hence a sheet orsail. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
othone Phonetic Spelling: (oth-on'-ay) Short Definition: a linen cloth, sheet...
Strong's Hebrew
5251. nes -- a standard, ensign, signal, sign... Word Origin from nasas Definition a standard, ensign, signal, sign NASB Word Usage
banner (2), distinguishing mark (1),
sail (1), signal (4), standard (12
...4666. miphras -- a spreading out, something spread
... 4665, 4666. miphras. 4667 . a spreading out, something spread. Transliteration:
miphras Phonetic Spelling: (mif-rawce') Short Definition:sail....
1777. din -- to judge
...Sail direct. Or (Gen. 6:3) duwn {doon}; a primitive roy a straight course, ieSail
direct -- (come) with a straight course. 1776, 1777. din. 1778 ....
Library
The Way theSail is Set.
... THE WAY THESAIL IS SET.... Some ships sailed eastward, some sailed west, Some north,
some southward trend. How can shipssail this way and that?...
Never Weather-BeatenSail More Willing Bent to Shore,
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First XXV Never weather-beatensail more willing
bent to shore,. Never tired pilgrim's limbs affected slumber more,...
"But when You have Again SetSail from that Place with the view of...
... Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter XVIII. "But when you have again
setsail from that place with the view of making? "But...
Introduction.
... Ascend with me to some solitary height and let us take a view of the innumerable
human crafts as theysail out upon life's broad ocean....
The Voyage and Shipwreck
... [This chapter is based on Acts 27; 28:1-10.] At last Paul was on his way to Rome.
"When it was determined," Luke writes, "that we shouldsail into Italy, they...
Acts XXVII
... (1) "And when it was determined that we shouldsail into Italy, they delivered Paul
and certain other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort, named...
Paul's Shipwreck
... When it was decided that we were tosail for Italy, Paul and certain other prisoners
were placed in charge of Julius, an officer of the Emperor's regiment....
Wesley's Advice to Travelers
... Tuesday, August 1.--- The captain with whom we were tosail was in great haste to
have our things on board; but I would not send them while the wind was...
The Delights of North Wales
... Friday, August 6."On this and the next day I finished my business in
Ireland, so as to be ready tosail at an hour's warning....
Departure of Barnabas.
... heard of the Man who has appeared, and I will adorn them with my speech, and preach
the counsel of God; and if you do so, within a few days I willsail with you...
Thesaurus
Sail (32 Occurrences)... water. 2. (n.) Anything resembling a
sail, or regarded as a
sail. 3. (n.) A wing;
a van.
... Canton. 10. (n.) To set
sail; to begin a voyage. 11.
...Main-sail
Main-sail. Mainsail, Main-sail. Mainstay . Easton's Bible Dictionary (Gr. artemon),
answering to the modern "mizzen-sail," as some suppose....
Sail-support (1 Occurrence)
Sail-support. Sails,Sail-support. Saint . Multi-Version Concordance
Sail-support (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 23:34 Yes...
Coast (70 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Tosail by or near the shore. 6. (n.) Tosail from port to port in the same
country.... 9. (vt) Tosail by or near; to follow the coast line of. 10....
Navigate (2 Occurrences)
... To journey; to go in a vessel or ship; to perform the duties of a navigator; to
use the waters as a highway or channel for commerce or communication; tosail....
Thessaloni'ca (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:2 and having embarked in a ship of Adramyttium, we, being about tosail
by the coasts of Asia, did setsail, there being with us Aristarchus, a...
Embarked (5 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Acts 27:2 and having embarked in a ship of Adramyttium, we, being about to
sail by the coasts of Asia, did setsail, there being with us Aristarchus, a...
Macedo'nian (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:2 and having embarked in a ship of Adramyttium, we, being about tosail
by the coasts of Asia, did setsail, there being with us Aristarchus, a...
Mainsail (1 Occurrence)
... (Gr. artemon), answering to the modern "mizzen-sail," as some suppose.... Noah Webster's
Dictionary. (n.) The principalsail in a ship or other vessel....
Aristar'chus (6 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:2 and having embarked in a ship of Adramyttium, we, being about tosail
by the coasts of Asia, did setsail, there being with us Aristarchus, a...
Resources
What happened on Paul's third missionary journey? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened on Paul's second missionary journey? | GotQuestions.orgWhy should I believe the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgSail: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
