Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest. New Living Translation And since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor—a poor place to spend the winter—most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, farther up the coast of Crete, and spend the winter there. Phoenix was a good harbor with only a southwest and northwest exposure. English Standard Version And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. Berean Standard Bible Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to sail on, if somehow they could reach Phoenix to winter there. Phoenix was a harbor in Crete facing both southwest and northwest. Berean Literal Bible And the harbor being unsuitable to winter in, the majority reached a decision to set sail from there, if somehow they might be able, having arrived at Phoenix--a harbor of Crete looking toward the southwest and toward the northwest--to winter there. King James Bible And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. New King James Version And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. New American Standard Bible The harbor was not suitable for wintering, so the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. NASB 1995 Because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. NASB 1977 And because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. Legacy Standard Bible And because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to set sail from there, if somehow they could arrive at Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, to spend the winter there. Amplified Bible Because the harbor was not well situated for wintering, the majority [of the sailors] decided to put to sea from there, hoping somehow to reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. Christian Standard Bible Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to set sail from there, hoping somehow to reach Phoenix, a harbor on Crete facing the southwest and northwest, and to winter there. Holman Christian Standard Bible Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to set sail from there, hoping somehow to reach Phoenix, a harbor on Crete open to the southwest and northwest, and to winter there. American Standard Version And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to put to sea from thence, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there; which is a haven of Crete, looking north-east and south-east. Contemporary English Version The harbor at Fair Havens wasn't a good place to spend the winter. Because of this, almost everyone agreed that we should at least try to sail along the coast of Crete as far as Phoenix. It had a harbor that opened toward the southwest and northwest, and we could spend the winter there. English Revised Version And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to put to sea from thence, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there; which is a haven of Crete, looking north-east and south-east. GOD'S WORD® Translation Since the harbor was not a good place to spend the winter, most of the men decided to sail from there. They hoped to reach the city of Phoenix somehow and spend the winter there. (Phoenix is a harbor that faces the southwest and northwest winds and is located on the island of Crete.) Good News Translation The harbor was not a good one to spend the winter in; so almost everyone was in favor of putting out to sea and trying to reach Phoenix, if possible, in order to spend the winter there. Phoenix is a harbor in Crete that faces southwest and northwest. International Standard Version Since the harbor was not a good place to spend the winter, most of the men favored putting out to sea from there on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix and spend the winter there. It is a Cretian harbor that faces southwest and northwest. Majority Standard Bible Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to sail on, if somehow they could reach Phoenix to winter there. Phoenix was a harbor in Crete facing both southwest and northwest. NET Bible Because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there. They hoped that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. New Heart English Bible Because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised going to sea from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there, which is a port of Crete, looking northeast and southeast. Webster's Bible Translation And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the greater part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is a haven of Crete, and lieth towards the south-west and north-west. Weymouth New Testament and as the harbour was inconvenient for wintering in, the majority were in favour of putting out to sea, to try whether they could get to Phoenix--a harbour on the coast of Crete facing north-east and south-east--to winter there. World English Bible Because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised going to sea from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix and winter there, which is a port of Crete, looking southwest and northwest. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the haven being not well placed to winter in, the greater part gave counsel to sail from there, if somehow they might be able, having attained to Phoenix, to winter [there], [which is] a haven of Crete, looking to the southwest and northwest, Berean Literal Bible And the harbor being unsuitable to winter in, the majority reached a decision to set sail from there, if somehow they might be able, having arrived at Phoenix--a harbor of Crete looking toward the southwest and toward the northwest--to winter there. Young's Literal Translation and the haven being incommodious to winter in, the more part gave counsel to sail thence also, if by any means they might be able, having attained to Phenice, there to winter, which is a haven of Crete, looking to the south-west and north-west, Smith's Literal Translation And the harbor being not suitable for passing the winter, the greater part took counsel to be conveyed from thence, if perhaps having arrived at Phenice, they may be able to pass the winter; a harbor of Crete, looking to the south west and to the country. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd whereas it was not a commodious haven to winter in, the greatest part gave counsel to sail thence, if by any means they might reach Phenice to winter there, which is a haven of Crete, looking towards the southwest and northwest. Catholic Public Domain Version And since it was not a fitting port in which to winter, the majority opinion was to sail from there, so that somehow they might be able to arrive at Phoenicia, in order to winter there, at a port of Crete, which looks out toward the southwest and northwest. New American Bible Since the harbor was unfavorably situated for spending the winter, the majority planned to put out to sea from there in the hope of reaching Phoenix, a port in Crete facing west-northwest, there to spend the winter. New Revised Standard Version Since the harbor was not suitable for spending the winter, the majority was in favor of putting to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, where they could spend the winter. It was a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd as the harbor was not commodious for wintering in, many of us were desirous to sail from thence, and if possible to reach and winter in a harbor at Crete, which is called Phe-ni’ce, which lies towards the south. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And because it was not suitable to winter in that port, many of us wanted to journey from there, and if it was possible for us, to arrive and to winter in a certain port which was in Crete, called Phoenix; and it faces toward the south. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd as the harbor was not commodious to winter in, the majority advised that they should put to sea from that place also, if, by any means, they might reach Phoenix, and winter there, which is a harbor of Crete, lying toward the south-west and north-west. Godbey New Testament And the harbor being unsafe for spending the winter, most of them projected to the council to depart thence, if perchance they might be able, having arrived into Phoenix, to spend the winter there; a harbor of Crete, looking toward the southeast and the northeast. Haweis New Testament And the harbour not being well situated for a winter station, the greater part advised to sail from thence, if they possibly could reach as far as Phenice to pass the winter, a harbour open to the south-west and north-west. Mace New Testament for as that haven could not cover us from the storm, most were of opinion to bear away, and try to put in at Phenice, where we could ride safe, the port lying by south-west, and north-west. Weymouth New Testament and as the harbour was inconvenient for wintering in, the majority were in favour of putting out to sea, to try whether they could get to Phoenix--a harbour on the coast of Crete facing north-east and south-east--to winter there. Worrell New Testament And, because the harbor was incommodious to winter in, the greater part advised to set sail thence, if by any means, having reached Phoenix, a harbor of Crete—looking toward the south-west and north-west —we might be able to winter there. Worsley New Testament And the haven not being commodious to winter in, the greater part advised to sail from thence, if they could possibly reach to Phenice to winter at that haven of Crete, which looks both to the south-west and north-west. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Paul Sails for Rome…11But contrary to Paul’s advice, the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and by the owner of the ship. 12Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to sail on, if somehow they could reach Phoenix to winter there. Phoenix was a harbor in Crete facing both southwest and northwest. 13When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had their opportunity. So they weighed anchor and sailed along, hugging the coast of Crete.… Cross References Jonah 1:3 Jonah, however, got up to flee 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. Ezekiel 27:29 All who handle the oars will abandon their ships. The sailors and all the captains of the sea will stand on the shore. 2 Corinthians 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. Psalm 107:23-30 Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters. / They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. / For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. ... Matthew 8:23-27 When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. / Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves. But Jesus was sleeping. / The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” ... Mark 4:35-41 When that evening came, He said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side.” / After they had dismissed the crowd, they took Jesus with them, since He was already in the boat. And there were other boats with Him. / Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped. ... Luke 8:22-25 One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side of the lake.” So He got into a boat with them and set out. / As they sailed, He fell asleep, and a windstorm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. / The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. ... James 4:13-15 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. / Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Isaiah 23:1-14 This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus. / Be silent, O dwellers of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whose traders have crossed the sea. / On the great waters came the grain of Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre; she was the merchant of the nations. ... 1 Kings 22:48-49 Jehoshaphat built ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail, because they were wrecked at Ezion-geber. / At that time Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my servants sail with your servants,” but Jehoshaphat refused. Job 9:8 He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. Psalm 48:7 With a wind from the east You wrecked the ships of Tarshish. 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. Ezekiel 27:26-27 Your oarsmen have brought you onto the high seas, but the east wind will shatter you in the heart of the sea. / Your wealth, wares, and merchandise, your sailors, captains, and shipwrights, your merchants and all the warriors within you, with all the other people on board, will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your downfall. Treasury of Scripture And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart there also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lies toward the south west and north west. the haven. Acts 27:8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. Psalm 107:30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Phenice. Crete. Acts 27:7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; Jump to Previous Advised Attain Chance Coast Crete Decision Depart Facing Favour Harbor Harbour Haven Lieth Majority Means North-East Part Phenice Phoenix Port Putting Reach Reached Sea Somehow Southeast Suitable Thence Towards Try Whether WinterJump to Next Advised Attain Chance Coast Crete Decision Depart Facing Favour Harbor Harbour Haven Lieth Majority Means North-East Part Phenice Phoenix Port Putting Reach Reached Sea Somehow Southeast Suitable Thence Towards Try Whether WinterActs 27 1. Paul shipping toward Rome,10. foretells of the danger of the voyage, 11. but is not believed. 14. They are tossed to and fro by a storm; 41. and suffer shipwreck; 44. yet all come safe to land. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in The phrase highlights the practical considerations faced by Paul and his companions. The Greek word for "harbor" is "limēn," indicating a place of refuge for ships. This reflects the ancient maritime practices where harbors were critical for safety during the treacherous winter months. The decision-making here underscores the human element in the narrative, where even the Apostle Paul had to contend with natural limitations and logistical challenges. Historically, harbors in the Mediterranean were often evaluated for their ability to provide shelter from harsh winter storms, emphasizing the precarious nature of ancient sea travel. the majority decided to sail on if somehow they could reach Phoenix a harbor on Crete facing southwest and northwest and to winter there Phenice . . . which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.--The precise meaning of the phrase is that the harbour looked, as we say, down these winds, in the direction to which they blew--i.e., that it faced the north-east and south-east, the words used being the names, not of points of the compass, but of the winds which blew from them. The harbour so described has been identified with the modern Lutro, on the east of the promontory of Kavo Muros, which looks eastward, and so corresponds to the interpretation just given of the words that describe it. The harbour is named by Ptolemy (iii. 17) as Phoenikous, and a city named Phoenix lay a few miles inland. It is still used as a harbour by Greek pirates, and was marked as such in the French admiralty charts of 1738; but, owing to the silting up of the sand, has become unsuitable for larger vessels. An inscription of the time of Nerva, of the nature of a votive tablet to Jupiter and Serapis, found near the spot, records the fact that it was erected by Epictetus, the tabularius, or agent, of the fleet to which the ship belonged, with the assistance of Dionysius of Alexandria, the pilot (the same word as that which St. Luke uses) of a ship which had as its sign (the same word as in Acts 28:4) the Isopharia. It is a natural inference from this that the Alexandrian ship (we note the Egyptian element in the dedication to Serapis, and possibly in the connection of the sign with the Pharos, or lighthouse of Alexandria) had anchored, and possibly wintered, at Ph?nice, and that the tablet was a thank-offering for its preservation. (See Alford, Prolegomena.) Verse 12. - Put to sea from thence for depart thence also, A.V. and T.R.; could reach Phoenix for might attain to Phenice, A.V.; winter there for there to winter, A.V.; a haven for an haven, A.V.; looking north-east and south-east for and lieth toward the south-west and north-west, A.V. Not commodious; ἀνευθέτου (not well placed, or disposed), only here. But the simple εὔθετος is used twice by St. Luke (Luke 9:62; Luke 14:35), in the sense of "fit" (also Hebrews 6:7), and is of frequent use in medical writers, for "convenient," "well adapted to," and the like. To put to sea (αναχθῆναι); see ver. 3, note. Reach; καταντῆσαι, only in the Acts (frequently) and in St. Paul's Epistles. It is generally, if not always, used of coming from the higher to the lower place, and from the sea to the land (see Acts 16:1; Acts 18:19, 24; Acts 20:15; Acts 21:7; Acts 28:13, etc.). Phoenix. It is variously written Phoenicus, Phoenice, and Phoenix; and probably derived its name from the palm tree, (φοῖνιξ), which is indigenous in Crete. It is identified with almost certainty with the modern Lutro or Loutro, which is both "an admirable harbor," situated exactly where Phoenice ought to be, and further by its proximity to a village called Aradhene, and another called Anopolis, shown to be the same as. Phoenix, or Phenice, which is described m ancient writers (Hierocles and Stephanus of Byzantium) as identical with or close to Aradhena and Anopolls (the upper city). Winter; παραχειμάσαι, so too Acts 28:11; 1 Corinthians 16:6; Titus 3:12, and παραχειμασία in this verse. It is found also in classical writers. Looking north-east and south-east. The margin of the R.V. has "Greek, down the southwest wind, and down the north-west." This phrase has caused considerable perplexity to commentators. To say, as a recommendation of a harbor for winter quarters, that it lies or looks toward the south-west and north-west, and consequently is exposed to the most furious winter storms, is obviously impossible. If Phoenix was open to the south-west and the north-west, it would not be as commodius a place to winter in as Fair Havens was which was sheltered by Cape Matala. Two methods, therefore, have been adopted of explaining the phrase so as to make it give a reasonable sense. One, that adopted by Dean Howson and Bishop Wordsworth, viz. that it looks southwest and north-west, from the point of view of the sailor, or any one approaching it from the sea, the object upon which it looks being the land which locks it in and shelters it. The other is that supported by Alford, and adopted by the R.V., and rests upon the observation that λίβς and χῶρος are not points or' the compass, but the names of the south-west and north-west winds, and that to look down (κατά) a wind is the same as looking down a stream. If the harbour looks down the south-west wind it looks toward the north-east, and if it looks down the north-west wind it looks toward the southeast. Its open side would be from northeast to south-east, it would be entirely sheltered on the south-west and north-west side. This is the explanation adopted also by Dean Plumptre. The south-west wind; λίψ, only here in the New Testament, but frequent in classical Greek and in the LXX. (see Psalm 78. [82, Septuagint] 26). As a point of the compass, it is the rendering of נֶגֶב (Genesis 13:14, etc.), תֵימָן (Numbers 2:10, etc.), of דָרום (Deuteronomy 33:23). The north-west wind; χῶρος (the Latin Caurus or Corus), only here in the New Testament, and not found in Greek writers.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Sinceδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. harbor λιμένος (limenos) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3040: A harbor, port, haven. Apparently a primary word; a harbor. was ὑπάρχοντος (hyparchontos) Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 5225: To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb). unsuitable ἀνευθέτου (aneuthetou) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 428: Unfitted, unsuitable, inconvenient, not well placed. Not well set, i.e. Inconvenient. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. winter in, παραχειμασίαν (paracheimasian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3915: Wintering, spending the winter. From paracheimazo; a wintering over. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. majority πλείονες (pleiones) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural - Comparative Strong's 4119: Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion. decided βουλὴν (boulēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 1012: Counsel, deliberate wisdom, decree. From boulomai; volition, i.e. advice, or purpose. to sail ἀναχθῆναι (anachthēnai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive Strong's 321: From ana and ago; to lead up; by extension to bring out; specially, to sail away. on, ἐκεῖθεν (ekeithen) Adverb Strong's 1564: Thence, from that place. From ekei; thence. if εἴ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. somehow πως (pōs) Adverb Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much! they could δύναιντο (dynainto) Verb - Present Optative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. reach καταντήσαντες (katantēsantes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 2658: From kata and a derivative of anti; to meet against, i.e. Arrive at. Phoenix Φοίνικα (Phoinika) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 5405: Phoenix, a bay on the south coast of Crete. Probably the same as phoinix; Phoenix, a place in Crete. to winter [there]. παραχειμάσαι (paracheimasai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 3914: To pass the winter. From para and cheimazo; to winter near, i.e. Stay with over the rainy season. [Phoenix was] a harbor λιμένα (limena) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3040: A harbor, port, haven. Apparently a primary word; a harbor. in Crete Κρήτης (Krētēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 2914: Crete. Of uncertain derivation; Crete, an island in the Mediterranean. facing βλέποντα (bleponta) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at. [both] κατὰ (kata) Preposition Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). southwest λίβα (liba) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3047: Probably from leibo; the south(- west) wind (as bringing rain, i.e. the south quarter). and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. northwest. χῶρον (chōron) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 5566: The north-west wind, and the quarter of the sky from which it comes. Of Latin origin; the north-west wind. Links Acts 27:12 NIVActs 27:12 NLT Acts 27:12 ESV Acts 27:12 NASB Acts 27:12 KJV Acts 27:12 BibleApps.com Acts 27:12 Biblia Paralela Acts 27:12 Chinese Bible Acts 27:12 French Bible Acts 27:12 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 27:12 Because the haven was not suitable (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
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