### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **âsson**, represented by `{{G788}}`, serves as a specific term for **close** or **very near**. It appears **1 time** across **1 unique verse** in the Bible, highlighting its highly specific usage. As a comparative term, it conveys the idea of being "more nearly" or in immediate proximity to a physical location.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single use of `{{G788}}` is found in the narrative of Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome. In this account, the sailors on the ship are encouraged by what appears to be a favorable, soft south wind. Based on this observation, they make the decision to set sail from a place called Fair Havens. The verse specifies their action: "they sailed **close by** Crete" [[Acts 27:13]], indicating they were hugging the coastline of the island.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its only context help illuminate the scene:
* `{{G5285}}` **hypopnéō** (to breathe gently, i.e. breeze): This describes the gentle wind that gave the sailors a false sense of security, prompting their decision to sail [[Acts 27:13]].
* `{{G1380}}` **dokéō** (to think; by implication, to seem): This word reveals the sailors' mindset, noting they were "supposing" that conditions were ideal for their purpose, a judgment that would soon be proven wrong [[Acts 27:13]].
* `{{G3881}}` **paralégomai** (to lay one's course near, i.e. sail past): This verb is used in conjunction with `{{G788}}` to describe the specific action of sailing past or along the coast of Crete [[Acts 27:13]].
* `{{G2914}}` **Krḗtē** (Crete, an island in the Mediterranean): This provides the crucial geographical anchor for the event, as the entire action of sailing "close by" is in relation to this island [[Acts 27:13]].
### Theological Significance
While not a major theological term, the narrative significance of `{{G788}}` is clear in its context.
* **Narrative Precision:** The use of `{{G788}}` adds a specific and vivid detail to the account, grounding the story in a real-world, geographical setting. It paints a clear picture of the ship's position relative to the land.
* **Human Judgment:** The decision to sail "close by" Crete was a direct result of human assessment, as the sailors were "supposing that they had obtained their purpose" [[Acts 27:13]]. This act of sailing near the coast sets the stage for the disastrous storm that follows.
* **Foreshadowing Danger:** This specific action, undertaken because of a seemingly gentle wind, is an important element of dramatic tension. The choice to sail "close by" the island precedes the ship being caught in a tempest, highlighting the contrast between the sailors' hopes and the impending reality.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G788}}` is a rare descriptive word whose meaning is straightforwardly defined as "close" or "very near." Its sole appearance in [[Acts 27:13]] is not to convey a deep theological concept but to provide critical narrative detail. It precisely describes a human decision within the story of Paul's journey, contributing to the realism and dramatic buildup of one of the most detailed accounts of ancient seafaring in the Bible.
TRV