Topical Encyclopedia
Shipmen, also referred to as mariners or sailors, play a significant role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of trade, travel, and divine intervention. The term "shipmen" is used to describe those who navigate and operate ships, a vital occupation in the ancient world where waterways were primary routes for commerce and communication.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, shipmen are prominently mentioned in the context of King Solomon's reign. Solomon's wisdom and wealth extended to maritime ventures, as he established a fleet of ships for trade. In
1 Kings 9:27, it is recorded, "And Hiram sent his servants, shipmen who knew the sea, to work with the servants of Solomon." This collaboration between Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre, highlights the importance of skilled shipmen in facilitating trade and acquiring valuable resources such as gold, silver, and precious stones.
The prophet Ezekiel also references shipmen in his lamentation over the fall of Tyre, a major maritime power. In
Ezekiel 27:8-9, the prophet describes the shipmen of Tyre: "The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers. Your skilled men, O Tyre, were aboard; they were your pilots. The elders of Gebal and their wise men repaired your leaks; all the ships of the sea and their sailors came alongside to barter for your goods." This passage underscores the expertise and essential role of shipmen in maintaining and operating the ships that were central to Tyre's economy.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, shipmen are mentioned in the account of the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome. In
Acts 27, Paul is a prisoner aboard a ship bound for Italy. The narrative provides a detailed account of a perilous voyage, during which the shipmen's skills and decisions are crucial.
Acts 27:30-32 describes a moment of crisis: "Meanwhile, the sailors tried to escape from the ship, pretending to lower anchors from the bow. But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, 'Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved.' So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and set it adrift." Here, the shipmen's actions and the intervention of Paul, guided by divine revelation, are pivotal in ensuring the safety of all aboard.
Symbolic and Theological SignificanceShipmen, as depicted in the Bible, often symbolize human reliance on skill and knowledge in the face of nature's unpredictability. Their presence in biblical narratives serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of human endeavor and divine providence. The accounts involving shipmen frequently illustrate themes of trust, obedience, and the sovereignty of God over creation.
In the broader biblical context, the sea often represents chaos and danger, and shipmen are those who navigate these treacherous waters. Their expertise and experience are essential, yet the biblical accounts consistently emphasize that ultimate deliverance and success come from the Lord. This is evident in the account of Jonah, where the shipmen, despite their efforts, recognize the power of God in calming the storm (
Jonah 1:14-16).
ConclusionShipmen in the Bible are depicted as skilled and essential workers whose roles are crucial in the narratives of trade, travel, and divine encounters. Their accounts reflect the broader biblical themes of human endeavor, divine intervention, and the ultimate sovereignty of God over the natural world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Shipman.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SHIPMENship'-men.
SeeSHIPS AND BOATS, II, 2, (3); III, 2.
Strong's Hebrew
591. oniyyah -- a ship... 4), ships (25).
shipmen. Feminine of 'oniy; a ship -- ship((-men)). see HEBREW
'oniy. 590, 591. oniyyah. 592 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Acts xxvi. 30-32
... "But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria,
about midnight theshipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; and...
The Second Continental Journey.
... One of ourshipmen 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....
On Assembling in the Church.
... Let the porters stand at the entries of the men, and observe them. Let the
deaconesses also stand at those of the women, likeshipmen....
Jonah at Nineveh.
... Then a great storm arose, and theshipmen cast Jonah into the sea, believing
that the storm had been sent through his disobedience....
The Red King
... heard the roaring sea; Quod he, 'Those gay waves they call me.' By Mary's grace
a seely boat On Christchurch bar did lie afloat; He gave theshipmen mark and...
A Total Wreck, all Hands Saved
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END A TOTAL WRECK, ALL HANDS SAVED. 'And as theshipmen were
about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea...
Purposes of God.
... And as theshipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the
boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of...
Paul's Epistles; his Collection for the Poor Saints at Jerusalem...
... Luke states that, after a long period of anxiety and abstinence, "about midnight
theshipmen deemed that they drew near to some country." [143:4] The headland...
Thesaurus
Shipmen (4 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SHIPMEN. ship'-men. See SHIPS AND BOATS, II, 2,
(3); III, 2. Multi-Version Concordance
Shipmen (4 Occurrences).
...Foreship (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:30 And as theshipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had
let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast...
Fortresses (45 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 23:13 Behold, the land of the Chaldeans--this is the people that was not,
when Asshur founded it forshipmen--they set up their towers, they overthrew...
Fleet (7 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV). 1 Kings 9:27 And Hiram sent in the fleet his servants,shipmen that
had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon; (DBY NAS RSV NIV)....
Deemed (14 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down
in Adria, about midnight theshipmen deemed that they drew near to some country...
Boats (11 Occurrences)
... Cognate expressions are: "shipmen," 'anshe 'oniyoth (1 Kings 9:27); nautai (Acts
27:27, 30 the King James Version, "sailors" the Revised Version (British and...
Chalde'ans (74 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 23:13 Behold, the land of the Chaldeans--this is the people that was not,
when Asshur founded it forshipmen--they set up their towers, they overthrew...
Shipmasters (1 Occurrence)
Shipowner (1 Occurrence)
Ships (46 Occurrences)
... Cognate expressions are: "shipmen," 'anshe 'oniyoth (1 Kings 9:27); nautai (Acts
27:27, 30 the King James Version, "sailors" the Revised Version (British and...
Resources
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