from ναῦς; a boatman, i.e. seaman:--sailor, shipman.
Transliteration:naútēs
Pronunciation:now'-tace
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term ναύτης (naútēs, `{{G3492}}`) is derived from the noun ναῦς (naus), meaning "ship" or "boat." At its core, ναύτης signifies an individual professionally involved with a ship. Its primary semantic range encompasses "boatman," "sailor," "seaman," or "mariner." It denotes a member of a ship's crew, one who works on or operates a vessel, without necessarily implying ownership or a specific rank like a captain, but rather a general professional engagement with seafaring.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ναύτης appears exclusively in the book of Acts, specifically within the detailed account of Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome. Its two occurrences provide vivid insight into the challenges of ancient maritime travel:
* In [[Acts 27:27]], Luke records, "When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors (ναῦται) suspected that they were nearing land." Here, the ναῦται are the professional crew members responsible for the ship's navigation and operation, whose expertise allows them to discern the ship's proximity to land even in the dark and amidst a storm.
* Shortly thereafter, in [[Acts 27:30]], the text states, "And as the sailors (ναῦται) were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, on the pretext of intending to lay out anchors from the bow." This verse reveals the sailors' fear and desperate attempt to abandon the sinking ship, highlighting their self-preservation instinct despite their professional duty. Paul intervenes, recognizing that their presence is essential for the survival of the passengers.
In both contexts, ναύτης is used descriptively for the ship's crew, emphasizing their professional role and their actions (both skillful and self-serving) during a severe maritime crisis. Their actions serve as a realistic backdrop to the unfolding drama of divine providence.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymological root of ναύτης is ναῦς (naus), the general word for "ship." Several related Greek terms shed further light on the maritime context:
* `{{G3491}}` ναυαγέω (nauageō): "to be shipwrecked." This verb directly relates to the ultimate peril faced by sailors, occurring in [[2 Corinthians 11:25]] and [[1 Timothy 1:19]].
* `{{G2921}}` κυβερνήτης (kybernētēs): "pilot," "helmsman," or "shipmaster." This term denotes a more specific and authoritative role than a general ναύτης, referring to the one in charge of steering and navigation. In [[Acts 27:11]], the centurion listens to the pilot (κυβερνήτης) and the ship's owner, indicating their superior authority over the general sailors.
* `{{G3494}}` ναυκληρία (nauklēria): "a ship's voyage" (not found in the New Testament).
* `{{G3495}}` ναῦλον (naulon): "fare for a ship" (not found in the New Testament).
* Concepts related to ναύτης include seafaring, maritime travel, storms, shipwreck, professional skill, and human vulnerability in the face of natural forces.
### Theological Significance
While ναύτης itself is a vocational term, its specific usage in Acts 27 carries profound theological implications within the narrative of Paul's journey.
* **Divine Providence vs. Human Expertise:** The presence and actions of the ναῦται underscore the human element of the voyage, yet the overarching narrative powerfully demonstrates God's sovereign control. Despite the sailors' professional expertise, their attempts to save the ship or themselves are ultimately insufficient. It is God's plan, revealed through Paul, that ensures the safety of all on board ([[Acts 27:22-26]]). The natural skills of the sailors are acknowledged, but they are ultimately subject to a higher divine purpose.
* **Human Agency and Fear:** The sailors' attempt to abandon ship in [[Acts 27:30]] highlights a very human response to extreme danger: fear and self-preservation. This moment serves as a backdrop against which Paul's unwavering faith and the divine promise of safety shine forth. Their professional knowledge tells them the situation is dire, yet God's word through Paul offers a different, more secure reality.
* **Paul's Authority and Spiritual Wisdom:** Although not a ναύτης, Paul often provides counsel that proves more accurate and ultimately life-saving than the seasoned mariners' judgment ([[Acts 27:10]], [[Acts 27:21-26]]). This subtly elevates spiritual wisdom and divine revelation over worldly experience and professional expertise in times of crisis, illustrating that true guidance comes from God.
* **Metaphorical Resonance:** While ναύτης is not used metaphorically in the New Testament, the broader context of a perilous sea journey with sailors and a ship in a storm has long served as a powerful metaphor for the Christian life, with its challenges, dependence on God, and the ultimate promise of safe passage through Christ.
### Summary
The Greek word ναύτης (naútēs, `{{G3492}}`) precisely designates a "sailor," "boatman," or "seaman," derived from the word for "ship." Its two occurrences in the New Testament, both in [[Acts 27:27]] and [[Acts 27:30]], describe the professional mariners on Paul's ship during his fateful voyage to Rome. These passages vividly portray their roles in navigating the vessel and their desperate attempt to abandon it during a severe storm. Theologically, the presence and actions of the ναῦται serve to highlight the interplay between human skill and divine providence. Their expertise and fear are set against the backdrop of God's sovereign plan for Paul and all on board, demonstrating that even in the most dire circumstances, human efforts are ultimately subordinate to God's unwavering purpose. The narrative underscores the triumph of divine wisdom and faithfulness over human limitations and fear, making the ναύτης a tangible, real-world element within a powerful testament to God's control.
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