In biblical terminology, "havens" refers to harbors or places of refuge for ships, often mentioned in the context of maritime travel and trade in the ancient world. The term is used to describe safe and sheltered areas along coastlines where ships could anchor and find protection from storms and rough seas.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 27:8 · The most notable mention of a haven in the Bible is found in the account of the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome. The passage describes the ship's journey along the coast of Crete, where they arrived at a place called "Fair Havens." The Berean Standard Bible states: "After sailing along the coast with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea." This haven was considered a temporary refuge, but not ideal for wintering, leading to further decisions that resulted in the shipwreck on Malta.

2. Psalm 107:30 · While not using the term "haven" directly, this psalm speaks of God's providence in guiding sailors to their desired haven. The BSB reads: "They rejoiced in the calm, and He guided them to the harbor they desired." This verse highlights the theme of divine guidance and protection for those at sea, a common motif in biblical literature.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near East, havens were crucial for trade and travel. The Mediterranean Sea, with its numerous islands and coastal cities, was a hub of commerce and cultural exchange. Harbors like Fair Havens provided necessary stops for ships to resupply, repair, and wait out adverse weather conditions. The mention of havens in the Bible underscores the importance of maritime routes in the spread of the Gospel and the movement of early Christian missionaries.

Theological Significance:

Havens in the Bible often symbolize safety, refuge, and divine provision. The narrative of Paul's journey in Acts 27 illustrates the challenges and uncertainties of life, with havens representing moments of respite and security amidst trials. The decision to leave Fair Havens, despite its safety, reflects human tendencies to seek better opportunities, sometimes leading to perilous outcomes. This account serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God's guidance and trusting in His protection.

Symbolism:

In a broader spiritual sense, havens can be seen as metaphors for the peace and security found in God's presence. Just as sailors sought physical havens to escape the dangers of the sea, believers are encouraged to seek refuge in God amidst life's storms. The imagery of a haven aligns with biblical themes of God as a fortress and a place of rest for the weary soul.

Conclusion:

The concept of havens in the Bible, while rooted in the practical realities of ancient seafaring, carries rich spiritual implications. It invites reflection on God's role as a protector and guide, offering safety and peace to those who trust in Him.Fair Havens

A harbour in the south of Crete, some 5 miles to the east of which was the town of Lasea (Acts 27:8). Here the ship of Alexandria in which Paul and his companions sailed was detained a considerable time waiting for a favourable wind. Contrary to Paul's advice, the master of the ship determined to prosecute the voyage, as the harbour was deemed incommodious for wintering in (9-12). The result was that, after a stormy voyage, the vessel was finally wrecked on the coast of Malta (27:40-44).

FAIR HAVENS

far ha'-v'-nz (Kaloi Limenes): A roadstead on the South coast of Crete, about 5 miles East of Cape Matala, the most southerly point of the island. The harbor is formed by a bay, open to the East, and sheltered on the Southwest by two small islands. Here Paul waited for a considerable time (Acts 27:9); but while it afforded good anchorage and a shelter from North and Northwest winds, "the haven was not commodious to winter in" (Acts 27:8, 12).

See CRETE.

HAVENS, FAIR

ha'-v'-nz.

See FAIR HAVENS.

2568. Kaloi Limenes -- Fair Havens, a harbor in Crete
... Kaloi Limenes. 2569 . Fair Havens, a harbor in Crete. Transliteration: Kaloi Limenes
Phonetic Spelling: (kal-oy' lee-men'-es) Short Definition: Havens. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2568.htm - 6k

The Voyage and Shipwreck
... Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
and, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called the Fair Havens.". ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 42 the voyage and.htm

The World Compared to the Sea.
... And as in the sea there are islands, some of them habitable, and well-watered, and
fruitful, with havens and harbours in which the storm-tossed may find refuge ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xiv the world compared to.htm

Acts XXVII
... us, and sailed under the lee of Crete, over against Salmone; (8) and coasting along
it with difficulty, we came into a place called Fair Havens, near which was ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxvii.htm

Letter H
... 1836 * Hatch, William H. "Received 1834 * Hatfield, Henry "Received 1818 * Hatton,
Robert C. "Received 1812, Withdrew 1831 * Havens, James "Received ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter h.htm

How the Soldiers, Both in Judea and Egypt, Proclaimed Vespasian ...
... then have that country for a defense to himself against the uncertainty of fortune;
for Egypt [23] is hard to be entered by land, and hath no good havens by sea ...
/.../chapter 10 how the soldiers.htm

The Honors that were Paid the Jews; and the Leagues that were Made ...
... Antiochus the king, the son of Antiochus, should do no injury to the Jews, the
confederates of the Romans; and that the fortresses, and the havens, and the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 the honors that.htm

The General Conference of 1836
... Mississippi Conference: Benjamin M. Drake John Lane, William Winans. Indiana Conference:
James Havens, CW Ruter, James 50. Thompson, Allen Wiley. ...
/.../chapter 13 the general conference.htm

Exhortations.
... For as the wind aids the pilot of a ship, and as havens are advantageous for safety
to a tempest-tossed vessel, so is also prayer to thee, in order that thou ...
/.../chapter ii exhortations.htm

Acts xxvi. 30-32
... wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; and, hardly
passing it, came unto a place which is called the fair havens; nigh whereunto ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily liii acts xxvi 30-32.htm

Caesarea. Strato's Tower.
... For between Dori and Joppa, in the middle of which this city lay, it happened
that all the seacoast was destitute of havens, &c. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 57 caesarea stratos tower.htm

Havens (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Fair Havens. A harbour in the south of ... 27:40-44).
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FAIR HAVENS. far ha'-v ...
/h/havens.htm - 8k

Phoenix (2 Occurrences)
... The ship was then able to make her way along the South shore of Crete to a harbor
called Fair Havens (Kaloi Limenes), near a city Lasea (Lasaia). ...
/p/phoenix.htm - 12k

Fair (147 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Fair Havens. A harbour in the south of Crete,
some 5 ... 16:2). HLE Luering. FAIR HAVENS. far ha'-v'-nz (Kaloi ...
/f/fair.htm - 40k

Haven (8 Occurrences)
... The most famous on the coast of Palestine was that of Tyre (Ezek. 27:3). That of
Crete, called "Fair Havens," is mentioned Acts 27:8. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/h/haven.htm - 11k

Crete (7 Occurrences)
... The excavations of Mr. Evans at Knossos and of the Italians at Phastos (near Fair
Havens) prove that Crete was a center of Mediterranean civilization in an ...
/c/crete.htm - 19k

Lasea (1 Occurrence)
... LASEA. la-se'-a (Lasaia): A town on the South coast of Crete, 5 miles East of Fair
Havens (Acts 27:8). The ruins were examined in 1856 by G. Brown (see Code of ...
/l/lasea.htm - 7k

Lasaea (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A city in the island of Crete (Acts 27:8). Its ruins are
still found near Cape Leonda, about 5 miles east of "Fair Havens.". ...
/l/lasaea.htm - 6k

Lase'a (1 Occurrence)
... Lase'a (1 Occurrence). Acts 27:8 and hardly passing it, we came to a certain place
called 'Fair Havens,' nigh to which was the city 'of' Lasaea. (See RSV). ...
/l/lase'a.htm - 6k

Whereunto (36 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). Acts 27:8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The
fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. (KJV ASV). ...
/w/whereunto.htm - 17k

Difficulty (12 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). Acts 27:8 With difficulty sailing along it we
came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea. ...
/d/difficulty.htm - 10k

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