### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb βολίζω (G1001), transliterated as *bolízō*, carries the precise and singular meaning "to heave the lead" or "to sound." It derives from the noun βολίς (bolis), which refers to a missile, dart, or more pertinently, a plumb-line or sounding-lead. Thus, the core meaning denotes the act of casting a weighted line into water to ascertain its depth. The semantic range is quite narrow, focused exclusively on this nautical practice of measuring the hidden depths beneath a vessel. This action is undertaken to determine if the water is shallow enough to pose a danger of running aground, thereby indicating proximity to land or submerged hazards.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term βολίζω (G1001) appears only twice in the New Testament, both instances occurring within the same verse in the book of Acts, specifically during the account of Paul's perilous sea journey and shipwreck:
* [[Acts 27:28]]: "And they sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms."
In this critical narrative, the ship carrying Paul and his companions is caught in a violent storm, drifting aimlessly and facing imminent danger. The sailors' act of "sounding" (βολίζω) is a desperate, practical measure to gauge the depth of the sea. The decreasing depth (from twenty to fifteen fathoms) signals that they are approaching land, albeit dangerously close to shoals or rocks. This action underscores the extreme peril of their situation, as knowing the depth was crucial for navigating the treacherous waters and potentially saving the ship and its occupants. The context highlights human effort and skill applied in a dire emergency, yet ultimately revealing the limits of such efforts without divine intervention.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary etymological root of βολίζω (G1001) is βολίς (bolis), which signifies the instrument used for sounding—a plumb-line or sounding-lead. This connection emphasizes the physical act of casting something down to measure.
Conceptually, βολίζω relates to:
* **Measurement and Assessment:** The act of determining depth is a form of measurement, akin to other words for measuring like μετρέω (metreo, `{{G3354}}`) or μέτρον (metron, `{{G3358}}`), though βολίζω is specific to water depth.
* **Navigation and Peril:** It is intrinsically linked to nautical terms and the dangers of sea travel, such as θάλασσα (thalassa, `{{G2281}}`, "sea") and πλοῖον (ploion, `{{G4143}}`, "ship"). The act of sounding is performed in moments of acute danger to avoid shipwreck.
* **Seeking Knowledge:** In a broader sense, it represents an attempt to gain crucial information about an unseen reality (the seabed) to inform decisions and actions.
### Theological Significance
While βολίζω (G1001) is a highly practical and literal term with no inherent theological meaning, its singular biblical context in [[Acts 27:28]] allows for significant theological reflection.
1. **Human Prudence Amidst Peril:** The sailors' act of sounding demonstrates human diligence, skill, and prudence in the face of overwhelming danger. It illustrates the biblical principle that humanity is called to exercise wisdom and make responsible efforts even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.
2. **Limits of Human Knowledge and Control:** Despite their efforts to "sound" the depths and ascertain their position, the sailors could not ultimately save themselves or the ship through their own wisdom or skill. The decreasing depths only confirmed their peril, leading to further desperate measures. This highlights the limitations of human knowledge and control in the face of divine sovereignty and natural forces.
3. **Dependence on Divine Providence:** The narrative of Acts 27 ultimately emphasizes God's providential care for Paul and all those with him. The human act of sounding, while necessary, serves to underscore the direness of the situation from which only God's intervention, mediated through Paul's prophetic assurance, could deliver them. It implicitly teaches that while we "sound" our circumstances, our ultimate trust must be in the One who controls the depths.
4. **Metaphor for Spiritual Assessment:** The physical act of "sounding the depths" can serve as a metaphor for spiritual introspection—the need for believers to "sound" their own spiritual condition, to assess their standing before God, or to understand the "depths" of a spiritual trial they may be enduring. Just as the sailors sought to avoid hidden dangers, believers are called to discern spiritual dangers and rely on divine guidance for safe passage through the storms of life.
### Summary
The Greek verb βολίζω (G1001) precisely denotes the nautical practice "to heave the lead" or "to sound," meaning to measure the depth of water. Its rare occurrence, limited to two instances in [[Acts 27:28]], places it within the dramatic narrative of Paul's shipwreck, where sailors desperately employed this technique to ascertain their perilous proximity to land. While the word itself is purely descriptive of a practical action, its context offers profound theological insights. It illustrates the importance of human prudence and diligence in the face of danger, yet simultaneously underscores the ultimate limits of human knowledge and control. Ultimately, the use of βολίζω in Acts 27 serves to highlight humanity's desperate efforts in crisis, thereby amplifying the subsequent demonstration of God's sovereign care and providential deliverance, reminding us that even as we "sound" our circumstances, our final reliance must be on the divine.
TRV