from ἐπί and (to urge); to drive upon the shore, i.e. to beach a vessel:--run aground.
Transliteration:epokéllō
Pronunciation:ep-ok-el'-lo
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐποκέλλω (epokéllō, `{{G2027}}`) is a nautical term derived from the preposition ἐπί (epi), meaning "upon" or "against," and the verb ὀκέλλω (okellō), which means "to run aground" or "to put ashore." Therefore, its core meaning is to drive a ship forcefully onto the shore or against a reef, resulting in the vessel running aground or becoming beached. The term implies an involuntary and often catastrophic cessation of the ship's movement, where it becomes fixed and immovable due to contact with land or a submerged obstruction. Its semantic range is quite narrow, primarily confined to this specific maritime event, denoting a loss of control and the end of a ship's navigable journey.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb ἐποκέλλω (epokéllō, `{{G2027}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the vivid narrative of Paul's shipwreck:
* **[[Acts 27:41]]**: "But falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the bow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the force of the waves."
In this passage, ἐποκέλλω precisely describes the moment the ship carrying Paul and his companions struck the land near Malta. The context is one of extreme peril and the culmination of a violent storm. The ship's bow became "stuck fast" (ἐρεισθεῖσα, ereistheisa), rendering it immobile, while the stern was simultaneously destroyed by the relentless waves. The single usage of this word powerfully conveys the final, irreversible nature of the ship's fate. It marks the definitive end of the sea voyage and the transition to the desperate struggle for survival on land, setting the stage for the miraculous preservation of life, as prophesied by Paul.
### Related Words & Concepts
Given its singular occurrence and specific nautical meaning, ἐποκέλλω (epokéllō, `{{G2027}}`) is conceptually related to several other terms and ideas within the biblical narrative:
* **ναυαγέω (nauageō, `{{G3489}}`)**: To suffer shipwreck. While ἐποκέλλω describes the *action* of running aground, ναυαγέω describes the *state* or *experience* of being shipwrecked. Running aground is a primary cause or component of shipwreck. Paul himself speaks of having been shipwrecked three times (e.g., [[2 Corinthians 11:25]]).
* **πλοῖον (ploion, `{{G4143}}`)**: A boat or ship, the object that runs aground.
* **θάλασσα (thalassa, `{{G2281}}`)**: The sea, the environment in which such an event occurs.
* **χείμων (cheimōn, `{{G5494}}`)**: A storm or tempest, often the cause of a ship running aground.
* **σωτηρία (sōtēria, `{{G4991}}`)**: Salvation or deliverance. The running aground of the ship, though destructive, ultimately leads to the salvation of all on board, fulfilling God's promise to Paul.
* **Loss of Control**: The concept of human inability to control natural forces, highlighting divine sovereignty.
* **Peril and Deliverance**: The narrative demonstrates extreme danger followed by miraculous escape.
### Theological Significance
While ἐποκέλλω (epokéllō, `{{G2027}}`) is a purely descriptive term for a physical event, its sole occurrence in the book of Acts imbues it with profound theological significance within the broader narrative of divine providence. The ship's running aground is not a random misfortune but a crucial turning point in God's plan for Paul's journey to Rome.
1. **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Chaos**: The event underscores the fragility of human endeavors and the unpredictable nature of the world. Yet, even in the midst of a violent storm and a catastrophic shipwreck, God's sovereign hand is at work. The ship running aground is the means by which Paul and all on board are brought safely to land, fulfilling the divine assurance given to Paul (cf. [[Acts 27:24]]).
2. **Instrument of Deliverance**: The destruction of the ship, precipitated by its running aground, paradoxically becomes the instrument of salvation for the 276 souls on board. It forces everyone to abandon the doomed vessel and trust in God's provision for their escape.
3. **Metaphor for Life's Journey**: Though literal, the image of a ship running aground can serve as a powerful metaphor for the unexpected crises and "dead ends" encountered in the Christian life. Just as the ship's journey ended abruptly, believers may face circumstances that bring their plans to a halt. However, like Paul, the faithful are called to trust that even in such moments, God remains faithful and can orchestrate deliverance, leading to new phases of ministry or purpose.
### Summary
ἐποκέλλω (epokéllō, `{{G2027}}`) is a precise Greek nautical term meaning "to run a ship aground" or "to beach a vessel." Its singular appearance in [[Acts 27:41]] vividly describes the climactic moment of Paul's shipwreck near Malta, where the ship's bow became immovably stuck. This word encapsulates the sudden, involuntary cessation of the vessel's journey, marking a point of extreme peril and loss of human control. Theologically, this literal event serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering sovereignty, transforming a seemingly catastrophic incident into a pivotal step in His divine plan for Paul's mission and the miraculous preservation of all lives on board. It highlights that even when human endeavors are "run aground" by unforeseen circumstances, God's purposes prevail and can lead to unexpected deliverance and new beginnings.
TRV