A fathom is a unit of measurement used primarily in nautical contexts to measure the depth of water. In biblical times, the fathom was understood as the length of a man's outstretched arms, approximately six feet. This measurement was crucial for navigation, especially in the context of ancient seafaring, where understanding the depth of water was essential for safe passage.

Biblical Reference:

The term "fathoms" is specifically mentioned in the New Testament, in the account of the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome. In Acts 27, Paul is being transported as a prisoner by ship when they encounter a violent storm. As the ship approaches land, the crew takes soundings to measure the depth of the water:

"They took soundings and found that the water was twenty fathoms deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was fifteen fathoms deep." (Acts 27:28)

This passage highlights the practical use of fathoms in ancient navigation. The crew's use of soundings to measure the depth indicates their concern for the ship's safety as they neared land, where shallower waters could pose a risk of running aground.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient world, seafaring was a perilous endeavor, and accurate measurements of water depth were vital for avoiding underwater hazards. The use of a lead line, a rope with a lead weight, was a common method for taking soundings. The line would be marked at intervals, often in fathoms, allowing sailors to determine the depth by the number of marks that submerged.

The mention of fathoms in the Bible reflects the broader historical context of maritime travel in the Mediterranean region. The Apostle Paul's journeys, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, provide insight into the challenges faced by early Christians as they spread the Gospel across the Roman Empire. The use of nautical terms and measurements underscores the authenticity and historical accuracy of these accounts.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the account of Paul's shipwreck in Acts 27 can be seen as a metaphor for the Christian journey. Just as sailors relied on soundings to navigate safely through treacherous waters, believers are called to rely on God's guidance through the uncertainties of life. The passage serves as a reminder of God's providence and protection, even in the midst of trials and adversity.

The use of fathoms in this narrative also illustrates the importance of practical wisdom and discernment. While faith is central to the Christian life, the Bible encourages believers to use their God-given abilities and resources to navigate the challenges they face. The crew's careful measurement of the water depth exemplifies the balance between faith and reason, trust in God, and responsible action.3712. orguia -- a fathom (the length of the outstretched arms)
... long. Word Origin from orego Definition a fathom (the length of the
outstretched arms) NASB Word Usage fathoms (2). a fathom. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3712.htm - 6k

The Voyage and Shipwreck
... about midnight" the sailors, hearing the sound of breakers, "deemed that they drew
near to some country; and sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 42 the voyage and.htm

Acts xxvi. 30-32
... we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they
drew near to some country; and sounded, and found it twenty fathoms; and when ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily liii acts xxvi 30-32.htm

Paul's Epistles; his Collection for the Poor Saints at Jerusalem ...
... We are told that the sailors "sounded and found it twenty fathoms, and when they
had gone a little farther, they sounded, and found it fifteen fathoms." [144:2 ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ix pauls epistles his.htm

Acts XXVII
... along in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors supposed that they were drawing
near to some land; (28) and having sounded, they found it twenty fathoms. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxvii.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further,
they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.29. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlvii perseverance of saints.htm

(And Last): Homeward Bound
... An upheaval of only forty fathoms would, I believe, join all these islands to each
other, and to the great mountain island of Porto Rico to the west. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xvii and last homeward.htm

Outward Bound
... beneath, deeper under our feet than the summit of the Peak of Teneriffe was above
our heads"for we were now in more than two thousand fathoms water"what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter i outward bound.htm

The Word in Eternity, in the World, and in the Flesh
... Clearly, too, no interpretation of these words fathoms their depth, or makes worthy
sense, which does not recognise that the Word is a person. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the word in eternity in.htm

The Rainbow
... springs. How glorious is thy girdle, cast O'er mountain, tower, and town,
Or mirror'd in the ocean vast A thousand fathoms down! As ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the rainbow.htm

My High Tower
... think; In deep unspoken language, known only to that Love. Who fathoms the
heart's mystery from the Throne of Light above. His Spirit ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/my high tower.htm

Fathoms (1 Occurrence)
...Fathoms (1 Occurrence). Acts 27:28 They took soundings, and found twenty fathoms.
After a little while, they took soundings again, and found fifteen fathoms. ...
/f/fathoms.htm - 6k

Fishing (4 Occurrences)
... The cone thus formed encloses such fish as cannot escape the quick throw of the
fisher. (b) A long net or seine of one or two fathoms depth, leaded on one edge ...
/f/fishing.htm - 13k

Fifteen (26 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). Acts 27:28 They took soundings, and found twenty fathoms. After a little
while, they took soundings again, and found fifteen fathoms. ...
/f/fifteen.htm - 14k

Twenty (282 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:28 They took soundings, and found twenty fathoms. After a little
while, they took soundings again, and found fifteen fathoms. ...
/t/twenty.htm - 40k

Sounding (99 Occurrences)
... Sounding (99 Occurrences). Acts 27:28 They took soundings, and found twenty fathoms.
After a little while, they took soundings again, and found fifteen fathoms. ...
/s/sounding.htm - 37k

Space (98 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Acts 27:28 and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms; and after
a little space, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms. (ASV). ...
/s/space.htm - 37k

Soundings (1 Occurrence)
... Soundings (1 Occurrence). Acts 27:28 They took soundings, and found twenty fathoms.
After a little while, they took soundings again, and found fifteen fathoms. ...
/s/soundings.htm - 6k

Sounded (66 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS). Acts 27:28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they
had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. ...
/s/sounded.htm - 27k

Farther (33 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:28 and having sounded found twenty fathoms, and having gone a little farther
and having again sounded they found fifteen fathoms; (DBY YLT NAS RSV). ...
/f/farther.htm - 19k

Later (89 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS). Acts 27:28 They took soundings, and found twenty fathoms. After a little
while, they took soundings again, and found fifteen fathoms. (See NIV). ...
/l/later.htm - 31k

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