### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G5269 (ὑποζώννυμι, *hypozṓnnymi*) is a compound word derived from the preposition ὑπό (hypo, meaning "under" or "below") and the verb ζώννυμι (zōnnymai, meaning "to gird" or "to bind"). Literally, it signifies "to gird underneath" or "to bind from below." In its specific and primary application, as reflected in its sole biblical usage, it is a nautical term. It describes the act of "frapping" or "undergirding" a ship, a critical procedure undertaken in severe storms. This involved passing strong cables or ropes underneath the hull of the ship and around its sides, effectively binding the vessel together to prevent its timbers from separating or its structure from collapsing under the immense stress of rough seas. The semantic range is therefore quite narrow and highly specialized, referring exclusively to this emergency ship-strengthening technique.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word G5269 (ὑποζώννυμι, *hypozṓnnymi*) appears only once in the New Testament, in the narrative of Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome:
* [[Acts 27:17]]: "which, when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, struck sail, and so were driven."
The context is crucial. Paul and his companions are aboard a ship caught in a violent storm, described as a "tempestuous wind called Euroclydon" ([[Acts 27:14]]). The ship is in dire peril, being "violently driven" ([[Acts 27:18]]). The act of "undergirding the ship" (ὑποζώννυμι τὴν ναῦν) is presented as one of the desperate measures taken by the crew to save the vessel from breaking apart. This action underscores the extreme severity of the storm and the immediate threat of shipwreck. It highlights the crew's professional expertise and their desperate attempts to preserve the integrity of the ship, indicating that the conventional construction of the vessel was insufficient to withstand such forces without additional reinforcement. The very necessity of this procedure vividly portrays the fragility of human endeavors when confronted with the overwhelming power of nature.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic relation of G5269 is to its root verb ζώννυμι (zōnnymai, `{{G2223}}`), which means "to gird," "to bind," or "to equip." This root verb appears more frequently in the New Testament, often with literal meanings related to dressing or preparing oneself (e.g., girding one's clothes) or sometimes with metaphorical implications, such as girding oneself for service or truth (e.g., [[Ephesians 6:14]] where "girding your loins with truth" uses a related concept). However, G5269 itself does not partake in these metaphorical extensions; its meaning remains strictly literal and technical within its singular biblical occurrence.
Other related concepts include:
* **Nautical Terminology:** The word belongs to a specialized vocabulary related to seafaring and ship construction, emphasizing the historical and practical accuracy of Luke's account in Acts.
* **Crisis Management:** The act of undergirding is a response to an extreme crisis, showcasing human ingenuity and effort in the face of overwhelming danger.
* **Preservation:** The goal of undergirding was the preservation of the ship, and by extension, the lives aboard. This concept ties into the broader theme of divine preservation evident throughout Paul's journey.
### Theological Significance
While G5269 (ὑποζώννυμι, *hypozṓnnymi*) is a technical term with a literal meaning, its theological significance arises from its placement within the larger narrative of divine providence and human vulnerability in Acts 27. The act of undergirding the ship serves as a stark illustration of human limitations and the desperate measures required when facing forces beyond human control. The crew's diligent efforts to strengthen the ship, including this specific act of undergirding, demonstrate human responsibility and resourcefulness. Yet, these efforts are ultimately insufficient without God's sovereign intervention.
The dramatic account of the storm, culminating in the undergirding, sets the stage for Paul's divine assurance that no life would be lost, despite the ship's destruction ([[Acts 27:22-25]]). This highlights the interplay between human agency and divine sovereignty. The crew does all they can, but it is God who ultimately guarantees their safety. The "undergirding" thus becomes a poignant symbol of human striving in the face of overwhelming odds, a striving that, while necessary, points to the greater, unseen "undergirding" of God's grace and protection. It underscores that even the most robust human constructions and efforts are fragile before the power of creation, and true security rests in God's faithfulness.
### Summary
G5269 (ὑποζώννυμι, *hypozṓnnymi*) precisely describes the critical nautical maneuver of "undergirding" a ship with cables to reinforce its structure during a severe storm. Its singular occurrence in [[Acts 27:17]] vividly portrays the extreme peril faced by Paul and his companions at sea. This technical term, while strictly literal in its meaning, functions within the narrative as a powerful illustration of human vulnerability and the desperate measures taken in crisis. The act of undergirding the ship, born of necessity and human ingenuity, provides a backdrop against which the ultimate divine preservation of life is highlighted, underscoring the interplay between human effort and God's sovereign care. It is a testament to the meticulous detail of Luke's account and the profound theological truths embedded within even the most specialized vocabulary of the New Testament.
TRV