### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word Κλαύδη (Klaúdē), transliterated as Klaúdē and assigned Strong's number `{{G2802}}`, refers exclusively to a specific geographical location: the island of Clauda. Its derivation is noted as uncertain, but its meaning is fixed and unambiguous within the biblical text. As a proper noun, Klaúdē possesses no semantic range in terms of varying shades of meaning or metaphorical applications. It denotes precisely the small island situated south of Crete, known in antiquity as Cauda or Gaudos. Its function in the biblical narrative is purely as a geographical marker, providing a concrete point of reference in the unfolding events.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The island of Clauda is mentioned only once in the New Testament, in the book of Acts:
* **[[Acts 27:16]]**: "And running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the ship's boat under control."
This solitary occurrence is within the detailed account of Paul's perilous voyage to Rome as a prisoner. The context is critical: the ship carrying Paul and his companions, having departed from Fair Havens in Crete, was caught in a violent northeasterly gale known as Euroclydon (or Euraquilo). Driven by the storm, they sought some measure of shelter or a more manageable position by running under the lee of Clauda. This detail highlights the extreme danger faced by the vessel and its crew. The brief respite or strategic maneuver near Clauda allowed them a desperate attempt to secure the ship's boat, which had been trailing and was at risk of being lost or damaged. The mention of Clauda anchors the narrative in historical and geographical reality, underscoring the authenticity of Luke's eyewitness-like account of the journey and the severity of the storm.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a proper noun for a geographical location, Klaúdē does not have direct lexical synonyms or antonyms in the typical sense. However, its significance is deeply interwoven with several related concepts and other geographical terms within the narrative of Acts 27:
* **Crete**: The larger island near which Clauda is situated (`{{G2914}}` Κρήτη, Krētē). The ship had sailed from a harbor on Crete before encountering the storm.
* **Euroclydon (Euraquilo)**: The violent tempest that drove the ship towards Clauda (`{{G2148}}` Εὐροκλύδων, Euroklydōn; or `{{G2148}}` Εὐρακύλων, Eurakylōn in some manuscripts). This storm is the primary force dictating the ship's course.
* **Shipwreck/Seafaring**: The entire context of Acts 27 revolves around maritime travel, the dangers of ancient seafaring, and the threat of shipwreck. The mention of Clauda is a critical point in this narrative of survival.
* **Divine Providence**: The events surrounding the voyage, including the near-disaster at Clauda, are ultimately framed within God's sovereign plan for Paul's journey to Rome (cf. [[Acts 27:23-25]]).
### Theological Significance
The island of Clauda, as a geographical entity, carries no inherent theological meaning. Its significance is entirely *narrative* and *providential*, serving as a crucial detail within the larger theological framework of God's sovereign control over circumstances and His protection of His servants.
1. **Veracity of Luke's Account**: The precise geographical detail of Clauda lends credibility to Luke's historical account. It demonstrates the meticulousness of the author, situating the events within a verifiable physical world, thereby reinforcing the trustworthiness of the biblical narrative.
2. **Setting for Divine Intervention**: Clauda is a backdrop against which the severity of Paul's trials and God's subsequent deliverance are highlighted. The ship's desperate maneuver near Clauda underscores the dire straits in which Paul and his companions found themselves, making the eventual divine intervention (through the angel's message to Paul and the preservation of all lives) all the more remarkable.
3. **God's Sovereignty in Adversity**: The mention of Clauda emphasizes that even amidst uncontrollable natural forces like a violent storm, God's purposes remain steadfast. The ship's course, though seemingly random and driven by the gale, ultimately serves God's plan to bring Paul to Rome. Clauda is a point on this divinely guided, albeit perilous, journey.
### Summary
Κλαύδη (Klaúdē), Strong's number `{{G2802}}`, refers to the island of Clauda, a small landmass south of Crete. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Acts 27:16]] places it within the narrative of Paul's tempestuous voyage to Rome, where the ship briefly found some shelter or strategic advantage near its lee during a severe storm. As a proper noun, it lacks semantic range but functions as a vital geographical marker, lending historical veracity to Luke's account. Theologically, Clauda serves as a tangible detail that underscores the extreme danger faced by Paul, thereby accentuating the profound reality of God's providential care and sovereign guidance even amidst overwhelming adversity, ensuring the fulfillment of His divine purposes.
TRV