In biblical times, the concept of cargo primarily relates to the goods transported by sea, reflecting the ancient world's reliance on maritime trade for economic and cultural exchange. The Bible provides several references to cargo, illustrating its significance in commerce, judgment, and prophecy.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament mentions cargo in the context of trade and wealth. In Ezekiel 27, the prophet laments over the city of Tyre, a major trading hub known for its extensive maritime commerce. The chapter provides a detailed account of the various goods that constituted the cargo of Tyre's ships, including silver, iron, tin, lead, and precious stones, as well as agricultural products like wheat and honey. Ezekiel 27:25 states, "The ships of Tarshish carried your merchandise. And you were filled with heavy cargo in the heart of the sea."

This passage highlights the prosperity and economic power of Tyre, which ultimately led to its pride and downfall. The cargo symbolizes not only wealth but also the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations through trade.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, cargo is mentioned in the context of maritime travel and the spread of the Gospel. Acts 27 recounts the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome, during which he encounters a severe storm at sea. The ship's crew takes drastic measures to survive, including jettisoning the cargo to lighten the ship. Acts 27:18-19 records, "We were tossed so violently that the next day the men began to jettison the cargo. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands."

This account underscores the perilous nature of sea travel in the ancient world and the sacrifices made to preserve life. The act of discarding cargo serves as a metaphor for prioritizing spiritual over material concerns, reflecting the transient nature of earthly possessions.

Prophetic and Symbolic Significance

Cargo also appears in prophetic literature, symbolizing the wealth and commerce of nations subject to divine judgment. Revelation 18 describes the fall of Babylon, a symbol of worldly power and corruption. The lament of the merchants in Revelation 18:11-13 lists the luxurious cargo that will no longer be bought, including "gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth; all kinds of citron wood and articles of every kind made of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble."

This passage emphasizes the futility of material wealth in the face of divine judgment and the ultimate sovereignty of God over human affairs. The cargo, once a source of pride and prosperity, becomes a testament to the transient nature of earthly riches.

Cultural and Historical Context

Understanding the role of cargo in biblical times requires an appreciation of the historical and cultural context of ancient trade. The Mediterranean Sea served as a major conduit for commerce, connecting diverse cultures and facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and religious beliefs. The Bible's references to cargo reflect this dynamic environment, where trade was both a source of blessing and a potential snare leading to pride and idolatry.

In summary, cargo in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol of wealth, commerce, and divine judgment. It illustrates the interconnectedness of ancient societies and the transient nature of material possessions in light of eternal truths.(n.) The lading or freight of a ship or other vessel; the goods, merchandise, or whatever is conveyed in a vessel or boat; load; freight.1117. gomos -- a ship's freight, cargo
... a ship's freight, cargo. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: gomos
Phonetic Spelling: (gom'-os) Short Definition: a cargo, freight Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1117.htm - 6k

1546. ekbole -- a throwing out, ie spec. a throwing overboard (of ...
... a throwing overboard (of the cargo). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
ekbole Phonetic Spelling: (ek-bol-ay') Short Definition: a throwing out, a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1546.htm - 6k

5414. phortos -- cargo
... phortos. 5415 . cargo. Transliteration: phortos Phonetic Spelling: (for'-tos)
Short Definition: cargo. Word Origin variant reading for phortion, qv. cargo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5414.htm - 5k

670. apophortizomai -- to discharge a cargo
... to discharge a cargo. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apophortizomai Phonetic
Spelling: (ap-of-or-tid'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I unload, discharge ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/670.htm - 6k

5413. phortion -- a burden
... Word Origin dim. of phortos (load, cargo); from phero Definition a burden NASB
Word Usage burden (1), burdens (3), cargo (1), load (1). burden. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5413.htm - 7k

3627. keli -- an article, utensil, vessel
... vessel NASB Word Usage armor (24), armory* (1), article (10), articles (30), bag
(2), baggage (12), bags (2), basket (1), bowls* (1), cargo (1), clothing (1 ...
/hebrew/3627.htm - 6k

The Conquest of Babylon.
... A layer of reeds was then spread over the bottom of the boat to protect the
frame, and to distribute evenly the pressure of the cargo. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter viii the conquest of.htm

Acts XXI
... (3) Passing in sight of Cyprus, and leaving it to the left, we sailed to Syria,
and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo." The change of ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxi.htm

Paul's Shipwreck
... for it was already late in October) Paul warned them, saying, "Men, I see that the
voyage will mean serious injury and loss, not only to the cargo and the ship ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/pauls shipwreck.htm

Self-Denial.
... The rudder determines the course of the ship; not its rigging and cargo; nor the
character of the crew, but its direction, the destination of the voyage, its ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xvi self-denial.htm

Byzantine Empresses Theodora ii. , Theophano, Zoe, Theodora iii.
... He ascertained the time when a ship laden with a valuable cargo in the
empress's name was about to arrive in Constantinople. He ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xiii byzantine empresses theodora ii.htm

Drawing Nearer to the Storm
... Tyre was the first port of call, and there the cargo was to be landed. The travellers
had to wait till that was done, and probably another one shipped. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/drawing nearer to the storm.htm

Slavery of Redemptioners.
... The following is an instance of the revolting horrors connected with this trade:
In 1793, when the yellow fever prevailed in Chester, a cargo of Redemptioners ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/slavery of redemptioners.htm

The Puritan Beginnings of the Church in virginia ---Its Decline ...
... it was there or not. The ship took back on her return trip a full cargo
of worthless dirt. Reinforcements continued to arrive every ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter v the puritan beginnings.htm

A Strain of Jonah the Prophet.
... With foremost haste outbale the reeking well. Of inward sea. The wares and cargo
all. They then cast headlong, and with losses seek. 75 Their perils to subdue. ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/1 a strain of jonah.htm

Moody's Stories
... At last they made up their minds that they had better go in and surrender their
cargo and their lives to their enemies rather than perish at sea without water ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys stories/moodys stories.htm

Cargo (7 Occurrences)
...Cargo (7 Occurrences). ... Acts 27:18 But the storm being extremely violent on us,
on the next day they threw cargo overboard, (DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/cargo.htm - 8k

Discharge (30 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To relieve of a charge, load, or burden; to empty
of a load or cargo; to unburden; to unload; as, to discharge a vessel. ...
/d/discharge.htm - 18k

Unload (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To take the load from; to discharge of a load
or cargo; to disburden; as, to unload a ship; to unload a beast. ...
/u/unload.htm - 7k

Voyage (5 Occurrences)
... 21:3 After sighting Cyprus and leaving that island on our left, we continued our
voyage to Syria and put in at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo...
/v/voyage.htm - 8k

Load (22 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The quantity which can be carried or drawn in some specified way; the contents
of a cart, barrow, or vessel; that which will constitute a cargo; lading ...
/l/load.htm - 14k

Trim (4 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To adjust, as a ship, by arranging the cargo, or disposing the weight of
persons or goods, so equally on each side of the center and at each end, that ...
/t/trim.htm - 9k

Careth (10 Occurrences)

/c/careth.htm - 9k

Boats (11 Occurrences)
... ix, 1). Now Caesarea has disappeared; and Joppa has only an open roadstead where
vessels lie without shelter, and receive and discharge cargo and passengers by ...
/b/boats.htm - 40k

Ships (46 Occurrences)
... ix, 1). Now Caesarea has disappeared; and Joppa has only an open roadstead where
vessels lie without shelter, and receive and discharge cargo and passengers by ...
/s/ships.htm - 53k

Ship (122 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed
to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo. ...
/s/ship.htm - 36k

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