feminine of a presumed derivative of πρό as noun; the prow, i.e. forward part of a vessel:--forepart(-ship).
Transliteration:prōra
Pronunciation:pro'-ra
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun πρῶρα (prōra, `{{G4408}}`) is a feminine word, understood as a derivative of the preposition πρό (pro, `{{G4253}}`), meaning "before" or "in front of." Consequently, its core meaning refers to the "prow" or "forepart" of a vessel. This term is exclusively nautical, designating the forwardmost section of a ship, the part designed to cut through the water and lead the way. Its semantic range is narrow, precisely denoting a specific structural component of a ship.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word πρῶρα appears twice in the New Testament, both instances occurring within the detailed narrative of Paul's shipwreck in Acts 27.
1. **[[Acts 27:30]]**: "As the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the skiff into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the *prow* (πρῶρα)..." Here, the sailors' deceptive action highlights the strategic importance of the prow. Deploying anchors from the front of the ship would be a maneuver to control its heading or prevent further drift, underscoring the prow's role in navigation and stability.
2. **[[Acts 27:41]]**: "But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the *forepart* (πρῶρα) stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the force of the waves." This verse dramatically depicts the ship's ultimate fate. The prow, being the leading edge, is the first part to strike the hidden sandbar, becoming immovably fixed. This act of being "stuck fast" leads directly to the ship's breaking apart, contrasting the stability of the forepart with the destruction of the stern (πρύμνα, `{{G4264}}`). In both contexts, πρῶρα serves as a precise technical term contributing to the vivid realism of Luke's account of the maritime disaster.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related terms illuminate the understanding of πρῶρα:
* **πρό (pro, `{{G4253}}`)**: The preposition "before," "in front of," or "forward," from which πρῶρα is derived, directly informing its meaning as the "forepart."
* **πρύμνα (prymnā, `{{G4264}}`)**: The antonym of πρῶρα, meaning "stern" or "hindpart of a ship." This contrast is explicitly drawn in [[Acts 27:41]], emphasizing the two critical ends of a vessel.
* **πλοῖον (ploion, `{{G4143}}`)**: A common New Testament word for "boat" or "ship," providing the broader context for πρῶρα.
* **ναῦς (naus, `{{G3491}}`)**: Another general term for a large "ship" or "vessel."
* **ἄγκυρα (ankyra, `{{G450}}`)**: "Anchor," directly linked to the maneuver described in [[Acts 27:30]], where anchors were ostensibly to be deployed from the prow.
* The concept of "direction," "leading," and "the point of encounter" are inherent in the meaning of πρῶρα.
### Theological Significance
While πρῶρα is a descriptive, technical term, its placement within the Acts 27 narrative imbues it with implicit theological significance. The shipwreck account is a profound testament to divine providence and the steadfastness of God's promises amidst human peril. The *prow* represents the leading edge of human endeavor and vulnerability.
In [[Acts 27:41]], the immobility of the *prow* on the sandbar marks the definitive end of human control over the vessel's destiny. This moment of complete loss of control, however, becomes the precise point where God's sovereign plan unfolds for the salvation of all lives on board, as promised to Paul. The physical detail of the *prow* becoming fixed illustrates the limits of human foresight and strength in the face of overwhelming natural forces, yet it also sets the stage for the miraculous deliverance.
The narrative, in which πρῶρα plays a small but crucial role, underscores themes of God's faithfulness, the fulfillment of divine purpose even through disaster, and the call to trust in God's promises despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The *prow*, as the point of impact and entrapment, paradoxically becomes instrumental in bringing the ship to a halt in a way that allows for the eventual rescue.
### Summary
The Greek term πρῶρα (prōra, `{{G4408}}`) precisely denotes the "prow" or "forepart" of a ship. Its two occurrences in the New Testament are found exclusively in Acts 27, within the detailed account of Paul's perilous voyage and shipwreck. In [[Acts 27:30]], it refers to the strategic point from which sailors feigned deploying anchors. More significantly, in [[Acts 27:41]], the ship's πρῶρα becomes immovably stuck on a sandbar, a pivotal moment leading to the vessel's destruction but also enabling the fulfillment of God's promise to save all on board. Though a technical nautical term, πρῶρα serves as a concrete detail within a narrative that powerfully illustrates divine providence, human vulnerability, and the unwavering faithfulness of God amidst dire circumstances, contrasting with the πρύμνα (stern) as the ship breaks apart.
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