Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5517 seafaring

Ideas and images drawn from seafaring are used in Scripture to illustrate important aspects of the Christian life. Although Israel was not a seafaring nation, ships and sailing played a part in her history, as they did in the spreading of the gospel in the NT.

Israel's harbours

Genesis 49:13 See also Judges 5:17

The art of shipbuilding

Ezekiel 27:3-9

Ships used for various purposes

Deliverance from danger: Noah's ark

Genesis 6:1-9:17

Trade

1 Kings 9:27-28 pp 2 Chronicles 8:18 Ezekiel 27:25 See also 1 Kings 10:11,22 pp 2 Chronicles 9:21; 1 Kings 22:48-49 pp 2 Chronicles 20:35-37

Slavery

Deuteronomy 28:68; Revelation 18:11-13

Invasion

Numbers 24:24 See also Ezekiel 30:9; Daniel 11:30,40

To carry refugees

Isaiah 60:9

To carry passengers

Jonah 1:3; Matthew 9:1; Acts 13:4 See also Matthew 14:13; Matthew 15:39; Mark 3:9; Acts 13:13; Acts 14:26; Acts 15:39; Acts 16:11; Acts 18:18 Paul sails for Syria with Aquila and Priscilla; Acts 18:21; Acts 20:3,6,13-16; Acts 21:1-3,6-7; Acts 27:1-8; Acts 28:11-13

Seafarers

Psalm 107:23-30; 2 Corinthians 11:25 See also 1 Kings 22:48 pp 2 Chronicles 20:37; Jonah 1:3-15; Matthew 8:23-27 pp Mark 4:35-41 pp Luke 8:22-26; Matthew 14:22-33 pp Mark 6:45-53 pp John 6:16-21; Acts 27:9-44

Judgment on seafarers

Isaiah 23:1 See also Isaiah 2:16; Isaiah 23:14; Isaiah 33:21-23; Isaiah 43:14; Ezekiel 27:26-36; Revelation 18:17-19

Metaphorical references to ships and seafaring

Spiritual immaturity as a ship tossed at sea

Ephesians 4:14

Abandoning sound teaching as shipwreck

1 Timothy 1:19

Faith as an anchor

Hebrews 6:19

Other seafaring analogies

James 3:4-5 See also Psalm 48:7; Proverbs 31:14; James 1:6

Noah's ark as a symbol of Jesus Christ

1 Peter 3:20

See also

4227  deep, the
4248  islands
4266  sea
4642  fish
4851  storm
5245  captain
5587  trade
5590  travel
7203  ark, Noah's