Topical Encyclopedia
Sailors, individuals who navigate and operate ships, play a significant role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of trade, travel, and divine encounters. The Bible references sailors in various passages, highlighting their experiences, challenges, and interactions with God's providence.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, sailors are often associated with the maritime activities of ancient civilizations. The city of Tyre, known for its skilled sailors and shipbuilders, is prominently mentioned in
Ezekiel 27. This chapter poetically describes Tyre as a majestic ship, emphasizing the expertise of its sailors: "Your oarsmen take you out to the high seas. But the east wind will break you to pieces in the heart of the sea" (
Ezekiel 27:26). This passage illustrates the vulnerability of sailors to the forces of nature, despite their skill and craftsmanship.
The account of Jonah provides a vivid account of sailors encountering divine intervention. When Jonah attempts to flee from God's command, he boards a ship bound for Tarshish. A violent storm arises, threatening the vessel and its crew. The sailors, fearing for their lives, cry out to their gods and eventually cast lots to determine the cause of the storm. Upon discovering Jonah's disobedience, they reluctantly throw him overboard, and the sea calms (
Jonah 1:4-15). This narrative underscores the sailors' desperation and the power of the one true God over the natural world.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, sailors are mentioned in the context of the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys.
Acts 27 provides a detailed account of Paul's voyage to Rome, during which he encounters a severe storm. The sailors' expertise is evident as they attempt to navigate the treacherous conditions, but ultimately, they must rely on divine guidance. Paul reassures them with a message from an angel, stating, "Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you" (
Acts 27:24). This passage highlights the intersection of human skill and divine sovereignty.
Symbolism and ThemesSailors in the Bible often symbolize human endeavor and the quest for survival amidst the unpredictable forces of nature. Their accounts reflect themes of fear, faith, and divine intervention. The sea, a common biblical motif, represents chaos and danger, while the sailors' experiences illustrate the need for reliance on God's protection and guidance.
Moral and Spiritual LessonsThe biblical accounts of sailors offer moral and spiritual lessons for believers. They remind Christians of the importance of obedience to God's will, as seen in Jonah's account, and the assurance of God's presence in times of trial, as demonstrated in Paul's journey. Sailors' reliance on divine intervention serves as a metaphor for the Christian life, where faith and trust in God are paramount amidst life's storms.
In summary, sailors in the Bible are depicted as skilled navigators who encounter both the perils of the sea and the providence of God. Their accounts provide rich insights into the human condition and the necessity of faith in the Almighty.
Greek
99. Adrias -- the Adriatic, the name of a sea... Masculine Transliteration: Adrias Phonetic Spelling: (ad-ree'-as) Short Definition:
the Adriatic Sea Definition: the Hadria, a name given by
sailors not merely
...1359. Dioskouroi -- the Dioscuri, twin sons of Zeus (Castor and...
... dee-os'-koo-roy) Short Definition: the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux Definition: the
Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, sons of Zeus and Leda, and patrons ofsailors....
3492. nautes -- a seaman
... Word Origin from naus Definition a seaman NASB Word Usage sailor (1),sailors (2).
sailor, shipman. From naus; a boatman, ie Seaman -- sailor, shipman....
Strong's Hebrew
4419. mallach -- a mariner... 4418, 4419. mallach. 4420 . a mariner. Transliteration: mallach Phonetic
Spelling: (mal-lawkh') Short Definition:
sailors. Word
...591. oniyyah -- a ship
... ships. Word Origin from the same as oni Definition a ship NASB Word Usage
boats (1),sailors* (1), ship (4), ships (25). shipmen....
376. ish -- man
... of men (1), one's (1), oppressor* (1), ordinary (1), own (1), people (3), person
(5), persons (2), prime (1), rank (1), respective (1),sailors* (1), slanderer...
Library
Sailors' Hymns.
... CHAPTER X.SAILORS' HYMNS. The oldestsailors' hymn is found in the 107th Psalm,
vss.23-30:... This charmingsailors' lyric is the work of the Rev....
1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a...
... "They helped every one his neighbour""Miss Child, a fellow-labourer "The work in
Ratcliff Highway"Strangers' Rest forSailors""Welcome Home"""Bridge...
"After He had Kindly Accepted Our Gifts, on theSailors Calling us...
... Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter VI. "After he had kindly accepted
our gifts, on thesailors calling us back to the? "After...
Ulysses and the Sirens
... The sirens would attractsailors to their shores by beautiful music.... Then he ordered
thesailors to row near enough to the island for him to hear the music....
The Voyage and Shipwreck
... This question was earnestly discussed, and was finally referred by the centurion
to Paul, who had won the respect of bothsailors and soldiers....
The Kingdom Divided
... Jonah. 3. What two things did thesailors do when the storm was severe? 4... Testament?
5. According to thesailors, what caused the tempest? 6...
Prayer and Science
... It is the fashion among some to talk ofsailors as superstitious. They
must... a class. Manysailors, doubtless, are superstitious....
The Stowaway
... of stowaways to be easily deceived by them, he said; and it was his firm conviction
that the boy had been brought on board and provided with food by thesailors...
"In the Uttermost Parts of the Sea"
... strange-looking figures, clad in hairy skins, and with sledges made out of hard
fragments of ice; they brought skins to exchange, which thesailors were only...
And after Such Statements, Showing his Ignorance Even of the...
... he proceeds thus: "Jesus having gathered around him ten or eleven persons of notorious
character, the very wickedest of tax-gatherers andsailors, fled in...
Thesaurus
Sailors (9 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Sailors (9 Occurrences). Acts 27:27 But when
the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven back and
...Call
... the bugle's call. 15. (n.) A signal, as on a drum, bugle, trumpet, or pipe,
to summon soldiers orsailors to duty. 16. (n.) An invitation...
Sailor (1 Occurrence)
... And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, andsailors, and as many as
trade by sea, stood afar off, (Root in KJV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Jonah (30 Occurrences)
... storm. The heathensailors inferred that some god must be angry with some
person on board, and cast lots to discover the culprit....
Hiram (21 Occurrences)
... Hiram's servants, "shipmen that had knowledge of the sea," taught thesailors of
Solomon the route from Ezion-geber and Eloth to Ophir, whence large stores of...
Trade (33 Occurrences)
... at Eziongeber, and this port was utilized by Hiram and Solomon in partnership (1
Kings 9:26), Hiram, apparently, supplying the ships and thesailors (1 Kings 10...
Ships (46 Occurrences)
... 24). Solomon constructed a navy at Ezion-geber by the assistance of Hiram's
sailors (1 Kings 9:26-28; 2 Chronicles 8:18). Afterwards...
Quicksands (1 Occurrence)
... On the north coast of Africa were two localities dangerous tosailors, called the
Greater and Lesser Syrtis. The former of these is probably here meant....
Kid (42 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Gloves made of kid. 5. (n.) A small wooden mess tub; -- a name
given bysailors to one in which they receive their food....
Naught (40 Occurrences)
... naught. And every ship-master, and all the company in ships, andsailors,
and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, (WBS). Genesis...
Resources
What are patron saints? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the practice of casting lots? | GotQuestions.orgAre mermaids mentioned in the Bible? Do mermaids exist? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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