Acts 27:34

KJV

Wherefore I pray you to take [some] meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore {G1352} I pray {G3870} you {G5209} to take {G4355} some meat {G5160}: for {G1063} this {G5124} is {G5225} for {G4314} your {G5212} health {G4991}: for {G1063} there shall {G4098} not {G3762} an hair {G2359} fall {G4098} from {G1537} the head {G2776} of any {G3762} of you {G5216}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore I advise you to take some food; you need it for your own survival. For not one of you will lose so much as a hair from his head.”

Berean Standard Bible

So for your own preservation, I urge you to eat something, because not a single hair of your head will be lost.”

American Standard Version

Wherefore I beseech you to take some food: for this is for your safety: for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any of you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 27:34 presents Paul's divinely inspired exhortation to his fellow shipwrecked travelers, urging them to eat for their strength and assuring them of God's complete preservation amidst their perilous journey. Despite fourteen days of a relentless storm and the abandonment of all hope by many, Paul, fortified by an angelic revelation, confidently declares that every life will be spared, with not a single hair from their heads perishing, underscoring God's meticulous care and the necessity of human cooperation with divine providence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of Paul's voyage to Rome, specifically during a severe storm that has raged for fourteen days, leaving all aboard without food and hope. Prior to this, Paul had warned against setting sail from Fair Havens ([Acts 27:9-10](/acts/27-9-10 "Paul's Warning About the Voyage")), a warning that was disregarded. The storm, described as a "Euroclydon" ([Acts 27:14](/acts/27-14 "The Storm Euroclydon")), had driven the ship helplessly across the sea, leading to the jettisoning of cargo and ship's tackle in desperate attempts to lighten the vessel ([Acts 27:18-19](/acts/27-18-19 "Desperate Measures During the Storm")). Just before this declaration, Paul recounts a vision where an angel of God stood by him, assuring him that God had granted him the lives of all those sailing with him ([Acts 27:23-24](/acts/27-23-24 "Paul's Angelic Vision and Assurance")). This divine assurance forms the bedrock of Paul's confident exhortation to eat and his subsequent promise of safety.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The journey described in Acts 27 was a common, yet often dangerous, sea route in the ancient Mediterranean. Travel by ship was essential for commerce and communication across the Roman Empire, but it was highly dependent on weather patterns. Autumn and winter voyages were particularly perilous due to unpredictable storms, making Paul's initial warning about the "fast being past" ([Acts 27:9](/acts/27-9 "The Danger of Late Season Travel")) highly pertinent. The ship would have been a large grain carrier, likely similar to those used to transport Egyptian grain to Rome, carrying a diverse group of passengers including soldiers, sailors, and prisoners. In such a prolonged crisis, starvation and dehydration would have been significant threats, severely weakening individuals and making them less capable of surviving a shipwreck. Paul's understanding of this physical necessity, even in the face of a divine promise, reflects a practical wisdom common in the ancient world where physical endurance was paramount for survival.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 27:34 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Providence and Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's ultimate control over circumstances, even natural disasters, and His commitment to preserving life according to His purposes. Paul's life, central to the spread of the gospel, is divinely protected, and for his sake, so are the lives of his companions. Secondly, the passage underscores **Faith and Obedience**, as Paul's unwavering trust in God's word enables him to act as a beacon of hope and leadership. His exhortation to eat is an act of faith, combining spiritual assurance with practical wisdom. Thirdly, it illustrates **God's Use of Human Means**, showing that while God promises a miraculous outcome, He still expects human beings to take responsible actions for their well-being. The command to eat for "health" emphasizes that divine intervention does not negate human responsibility, a theme echoed in other biblical accounts where God's people are called to act in faith, not passivity, such as when [Israel was instructed to march around Jericho](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho") or when [Jesus commanded the disciples to feed the multitude](/matthew/14-16 "Matthew 14:16 - Feeding the Five Thousand").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **meat (Greek, _trophḗ_):** This word, G5160, refers broadly to "nourishment" or "food" in general, and by implication, "rations" or "wages." In the context of Acts 27:34, it does not specifically mean animal flesh as "meat" often implies in modern English, but rather any sustenance necessary to regain strength. Paul's urging is for them to take any available food to sustain themselves after fourteen days of fasting.
* **health (Greek, _sōtēría_):** G4991, derived from a word meaning "savior," denotes "rescue" or "safety," both physically and morally. Here, it is used in a physical sense, referring to the physical well-being and preservation of life. Paul connects eating to their physical "salvation" or "health," implying that this nourishment is crucial for their survival and the strength needed for the impending shipwreck and journey to shore.
* **fall (Greek, _píptō_):** G4098, meaning "to fall" literally or figuratively, or "to fail" or "light on." In this verse, it is used in the idiomatic expression "not an hair fall from the head," signifying complete and utter protection, where not even the smallest part of their person will be harmed or lost. This emphasizes the totality of God's promised preservation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore I pray you to take some meat:"** Paul, having received a divine assurance of safety, now pivots to practical leadership. The term "wherefore" (G1352, _dió_) indicates that his plea is a direct consequence of the angelic revelation and God's promise. He "prays" (G3870, _parakaléō_), meaning he urges, exhorts, or beseeches them, not as a command from a prisoner, but as a compassionate and divinely appointed leader. His instruction to "take some meat" (G4355, _proslambánō_ G5160, _trophḗ_) is a call to break their prolonged fast and consume food, recognizing the critical need for physical sustenance after days of deprivation.
* **"for this is for your health:"** Paul provides the rationale for his urgent request. The food is not merely for comfort but is directly "for your health" (G4314, _prós_ G5212, _hyméteros_ G4991, _sōtēría_). This "health" encompasses their physical well-being, strength, and ultimately, their survival. He understands that even with a divine promise, human bodies require nourishment to endure the physical demands of a shipwreck and reaching safety. This clause links their immediate physical action to their ultimate physical preservation.
* **"for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you."** This is Paul's powerful, divinely inspired assurance. The repetition of "for" (G1063, _gár_) introduces the ultimate reason and guarantee behind his exhortation. The phrase "not an hair fall from the head" (G3762, _oudeís_ G2359, _thríx_ G4098, _píptō_ G1537, _ek_ G2776, _kephalḗ_) is a well-known biblical idiom signifying absolute, meticulous preservation and safety. It is a hyperbolic expression emphasizing that not even the smallest part of their being will be lost or harmed. This promise, directly from God, undergirds Paul's confidence and serves to dispel all remaining fear and despair among the passengers.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 27:34 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Hyperbole** and **Idiom** in the phrase "not an hair fall from the head of any of you." This expression, found elsewhere in scripture (e.g., [1 Samuel 14:45](/1_samuel/14-45 "Jonathan's Life Spared") and [Luke 21:18](/luke/21-18 "Jesus' Promise of Protection")), is an idiomatic way of conveying absolute and complete safety, emphasizing that not even the smallest, most insignificant part of their person would be lost or harmed. It is a powerful overstatement designed to instill profound confidence and dispel all fear. Paul also uses **Exhortation** as a rhetorical strategy, moving from the divine revelation to a practical command, demonstrating his leadership and the integration of spiritual truth with physical necessity. The repeated use of the conjunction "for" (G1063, _gár_) creates a sense of logical progression and reinforcement, linking the command to eat with the reason for their health, and then with the ultimate divine guarantee of safety.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 27:34 stands as a profound testament to God's meticulous providence and His commitment to preserving life according to His sovereign plan. It illustrates that divine promises do not negate human responsibility but often work in conjunction with it. Paul's assurance, "not an hair fall from the head of any of you," is a powerful declaration of God's comprehensive care, echoing similar promises of protection found throughout Scripture. This passage reminds us that even in the most desperate circumstances, God's word is trustworthy, and His care extends to every detail of our lives, both physically and spiritually.

* [1 Samuel 14:45](/1_samuel/14-45 "Jonathan's Life Spared")
* [Luke 21:18](/luke/21-18 "Jesus' Promise of Protection")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "God's Provision")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 27:34 offers a powerful blueprint for navigating the storms of life, whether literal or metaphorical. Paul's example teaches us that true faith is not passive resignation but active trust that integrates divine promises with practical wisdom. When we face overwhelming circumstances, despair can lead to paralysis, including neglecting basic self-care. Paul's exhortation to "take some meat" reminds us that even when God has given a promise of deliverance, we are still called to take responsible steps for our physical and mental well-being. This might mean seeking help, resting, nourishing our bodies, or engaging in practical problem-solving. Furthermore, Paul's calm leadership in the face of chaos, rooted in his unwavering confidence in God's word, serves as a model for how believers can be a source of strength and hope to those around them, even when they themselves are in a vulnerable position. Our faith in God's meticulous care, even to the detail of "not an hair fall," should empower us to act with courage and prudence, knowing that our efforts are not in vain but are part of God's larger plan for our preservation and flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "storms" of life might you be neglecting basic physical or mental "nourishment" because of despair or a misguided sense of spiritual passivity?**
* **How can Paul's example of combining divine assurance with practical action inform your approach to current challenges?**
* **How does the promise that "not an hair shall fall" deepen your understanding of God's meticulous care for your life, even in the smallest details?**

### FAQ

**Why does the KJV use "meat" when it seems to mean "food" in general?**

Answer: The word "meat" in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, particularly in older English, was a general term for "food" or "sustenance," not exclusively animal flesh as it is commonly understood today. The original Greek word used here is _trophḗ_ (G5160), which broadly means "nourishment" or "food." Paul's instruction was for everyone to eat *any* available food to regain strength after their prolonged fast, not specifically a type of animal protein. This highlights the importance of understanding archaic English usage when reading older translations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 27:34, while a powerful account of physical preservation, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul's assurance that "not an hair fall from the head of any of you" foreshadows the far greater, eternal security offered through Christ. Just as Paul, a prisoner, became the source of life and hope for those on the ship, so Christ, by His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, became the ultimate source of salvation and eternal life for all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). The physical "health" (G4991, _sōtēría_) promised by Paul points to the spiritual salvation that Jesus provides, delivering humanity from the ultimate shipwreck of sin and death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Furthermore, Jesus Himself used the very same idiom, promising His disciples that "there shall not an hair of your head perish" in the context of enduring persecution and the end times ([Luke 21:18](/luke/21-18 "Luke 21:18 - Jesus' Promise of Protection")). This demonstrates that the meticulous, divine care promised by God for physical preservation in Acts 27 is a shadow of the complete and eternal preservation of the believer's soul in Christ, where no spiritual harm can ultimately befall those who are in Him ([Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Romans 8:38-39 - God's Unfailing Love")). Christ is the true Captain who ensures the ultimate arrival of His people safely into the harbor of eternal life, providing not just physical sustenance but the bread of life itself ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 10:30

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

1 Kings 1:52

And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.

Luke 21:18

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

Mark 8:2

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

Mark 8:3

And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

1 Timothy 5:23

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Luke 12:7

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.