Keraia
Acts 27

Acts 27:17

The Storm at Sea · Acts 27:13–26
Read Acts 27

Translations

Modern
After hoisting it up, the crew used ropes to undergird the ship. And fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along.
Traditional
Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.
Literal
…which having taken up, they began using supports, undergirding the ship. And fearing lest they might fall into the sandbars of Syrtis, having lowered the gear, thus they were driven along.
Latin
Qua sublata, adjutoriis utebantur, accingentes navem, timentes ne in Syrtim inciderent, summisso vase sic ferebantur.

Original

Greek
English
After hoisting it up, the crew used ropes to undergird the ship. And fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along.

Notes

Acts 27:17

  • The purpose of wrapping ropes around the ship's framework (hull) was to strengthen it against the storm's pressure. This process is called frapping.

  • Syrtis refers to the shallow bays with sandbars off the North African coast, west of Cyrene.

Acts 27:1–28:16

  • The graphic language describing sailing in the story of Paul's journey to Rome provides one of the best accounts of an ancient sea journey.

  • This is the last "we" section in Acts (see also 16:10–17; 20:5–15; 21:1–18). During Paul's two years of imprisonment, Luke probably researched his gospel throughout Judea and Galilee. Here, as part of Paul's sailing group, he had a personal witness of the dangers at sea.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul)

Events

Parallels

Jonah 1:4–10

Places

Syrtis: Dangerous shallow waters off the coast of Libya

Glossary

Book of the Acts of the Apostles Caesarea Luke (Person) Luke, Gospel of Paul the Apostle Phoenix Sailors Salvation Syrtis Travel

Topics

Mariners (Sailors): Perils of Paul: The Ship Encounters a Storm Paul: The Ship is Wrecked, and all on Board Take Refuge on the Island of Melita (Malta) Ship: Sails Ships: Endangered by Quicksands Ships: when Damaged Were Sometimes Undergirded with Cables