King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They hoisted it aboard, then fastened cables tightly around the ship itself to reinforce it. Fearing they might run aground on the Syrtis sandbars, they lowered the topsails and thus continued drifting.
Berean Standard Bible:
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.
American Standard Version:
and when they had hoisted it up, they used helps, under-girding the ship; and, fearing lest they should be cast upon the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and so were driven.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Which{G3739} when they had taken up{G142}, they used{G5530} helps{G996}, undergirding{G5269} the ship{G4143}; and{G5037}, fearing{G5399} lest{G3361} they should fall{G1601} into{G1519} the quicksands{G4950}, strake{G5465} sail{G4632}, and so{G3779} were driven{G5342}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Acts 27:29
- Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
Acts 27:26
- Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
Acts 27:41
- And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Acts 27:17
Acts 27:17 is a verse from the New Testament that describes a pivotal moment in the journey of the Apostle Paul as he is being transported to Rome as a prisoner. The historical context of this verse is set within the tumultuous sea voyage that Paul and his companions undertake, which is fraught with the dangers of late autumn weather in the Mediterranean.
In this verse, the crew takes measures to secure the ship against the impending storm. They deploy additional gear, referred to as "helps," which likely included ropes or cables to reinforce the structure of the ship. The term "undergirding" suggests that they may have passed ropes or chains under the hull to hold the vessel together more tightly in anticipation of the violent winds and waves. Moreover, they "strake sail," which means they reduced the sail area to slow down the ship and maintain better control in the stormy conditions.
The themes present in this verse include the human struggle against the forces of nature, the precariousness of life, and the resourcefulness and teamwork required in a crisis. It also reflects the ancient maritime practices of the time, illustrating the risks involved in sea travel during the first century. The actions taken by the sailors indicate their experience and knowledge in navigating treacherous waters, as well as their fear of being cast upon "quicksands," which were known danger spots in the sea that could cause a ship to be wrecked.
This verse is part of a larger narrative that demonstrates divine providence amid human vulnerability. Despite the skill and effort of the sailors, the story ultimately reveals that Paul's journey and safety are under God's control, as Paul himself reassures his fellow travelers with a divine message that they would survive the shipwreck, though the ship would be lost (Acts 27:22-26). This event serves as a testament to Paul's faith and the protection God provides to His servant, even in the midst of a life-threatening ordeal.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ. - Strong's Number: G142
There are 168 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αἴρω
Transliteration: aírō
Pronunciation: ah'-ee-ro
Description: a primary root; to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare נָשָׂא) to expiate sin:--away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up). - Strong's Number: G5530
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χράομαι
Transliteration: chráomai
Pronunciation: khrah'-om-ahee
Description: middle voice of a primary verb (perhaps rather from χείρ, to handle); to furnish what is needed; (give an oracle, "graze" (touch slightly), light upon, etc.), i.e. (by implication) to employ or (by extension) to act towards one in a given manner:--entreat, use. Compare χράω; χρή. - Strong's Number: G996
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: βοήθεια
Transliteration: boḗtheia
Pronunciation: bo-ay'-thi-ah
Description: from βοηθός; aid; specially, a rope or chain for frapping a vessel:--help. - Strong's Number: G5269
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑποζώννυμι
Transliteration: hypozṓnnymi
Pronunciation: hoop-od-zone'-noo-mee
Description: from ὑπό and ζώννυμι; to gird under, i.e. frap (a vessel with cables across the keel, sides and deck):--undergirt. - Strong's Number: G4143
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πλοῖον
Transliteration: ploîon
Pronunciation: ploy'-on
Description: from πλέω; a sailer, i.e. vessel:--ship(-ing). - Strong's Number: G5037
There are 192 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τέ
Transliteration: té
Pronunciation: teh
Description: a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of καί):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle. - Strong's Number: G5399
There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φοβέω
Transliteration: phobéō
Pronunciation: fob-eh'-o
Description: from φόβος; to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere:--be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence. - Strong's Number: G3361
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μή
Transliteration: mḗ
Pronunciation: may
Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ. - Strong's Number: G1601
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκπίπτω
Transliteration: ekpíptō
Pronunciation: ek-pip'-to
Description: from ἐκ and πίπτω; to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient:--be cast, fail, fall (away, off), take none effect. - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G4950
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σύρτις
Transliteration: sýrtis
Pronunciation: soor'-tis
Description: from σύρω; a shoal (from the sand drawn thither by the waves), i.e. the Syrtis Major or great bay on the north coast of Africa:--quicksands. - Strong's Number: G5465
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χαλάω
Transliteration: chaláō
Pronunciation: khal-ah'-o
Description: from the base of χάσμα; to lower (as into a void):--let down, strike. - Strong's Number: G4632
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σκεῦος
Transliteration: skeûos
Pronunciation: skyoo'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally or figuratively [specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband]):--goods, sail, stuff, vessel. - Strong's Number: G3779
There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὕτω
Transliteration: hoútō
Pronunciation: hoo'-toce
Description: adverb from οὗτος; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what. - Strong's Number: G5342
There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φέρω
Transliteration: phérō
Pronunciation: en-eng'-ko
Description: a primary verb (for which other, and apparently not cognate ones are used in certain tenses only; namely, ; and ; to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows):--be, bear, bring (forth), carry, come, + let her drive, be driven, endure, go on, lay, lead, move, reach, rushing, uphold.