Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 27:28
And sounded, and found [it] twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found [it] fifteen fathoms.
28. and sounded ] In ancient times, this must have been the only means of feeling their way in dark and stormy weather. The lead must have been in constant use.
found it twenty fathoms ] The original has no word for “it,” which is therefore omitted by R. V. What is meant is “they found twenty fathoms’ depth of water.” The same omission is found at the end of the verse also.
and when they had gone a little further ] The verb has no sense of “going,” but only implies that they allowed an interval to elapse. The movement of the vessel meanwhile is of course understood, but the simpler rendering of the R. V. “after a little space” is to be preferred.
fifteen fathoms ] So rapid a decrease in the depth of the water shewed them that they would soon be ashore.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And sounded – To sound is to make use of a line and lead to ascertain the depth of water.
Twenty fathoms – A fathom is six feet, or the distance from the extremity of the middle finger on one hand to the extremity of the other, when the arms are extended. The depth, therefore, was about 120 feet.
Fifteen fathoms – They knew, therefore, that they were drawing near to shore.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 28. And sounded] , Heaving the lead.
Twenty fathoms] , About forty yards in depth. The is thus defined by the Etymologicon: , It signifies the extent of the arms, together with the breadth of the breast. This is exactly the quantum of our fathom.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Found it twenty fathoms: a fathom is the distance betwixt the end of the middle finger on the one hand, from the end of the middle finger on the other hand, when the arms are stretched out; which is ordinarily accounted about six feet in measure.
Found it fifteen fathoms; coming into more shallow places they might reasonably conclude that they were near unto the land.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And sounded,…. Or let down their plummet, or sounding line; which was a line with a piece of lead at the end of it, which they let down into the water, and by that means found what depth it was, by which they could judge whether they were near land or not. The sounding line, with the ancients, was called by different names; sometimes bolis, and this is the name it has here,
, “they let down the bolis”: and the bolis is, by some, described thus; it is a brazen or leaden vessel, with a chain, which mariners fill with grease, and let down into the sea, to try whether the places are rocky where a ship may stand, or sandy where the ship is in danger of being lost: it is also called “catapirates”, which is thus described by Isidore; “catapirates” is a line with a piece of lead, by which the depth of the sea is tried. Herodotus makes mention of it under this name, and observes, that when persons are within a day’s voyage of Egypt, if they let down the “catapirates”, or sounding line, they will bring up clay, even when in eleven fathom deep r According to modern accounts, there are two kinds of lines, occasionally used in sounding the sea, the sounding line, and the deep sea line: the sounding line is the thickest and shortest, as not exceeding 20 fathoms in length, and is marked at two, three, and four fathoms with a piece of black leather between the strands, and at five with a piece of white leather: the sounding line may be used when the ship is under sail, which the deep sea line cannot. –The plummet is usually in form of a nine pin, and weighs 18 pounds; the end is frequently greased, to try whether the ground be sandy or rocky, c. s. The deep sea line is used in deep water, and both lead and line are larger than the other at the end of it is a piece of lead, called deep sea lead, has a hole at the bottom, in which is put a piece of “tallow”, to bring up the colour of the sand at the bottom, to learn the differences of the ground, and know what coasts they are on.
And found it twenty fathoms; or “orgyas”; a fathom is a measure which contains six feet, and is the utmost extent of both arms, when stretched into a right line: the fathom, it seems, differs according to the different sorts of vessels; the fathom of a man of war is six feet, that of merchant ships five feet and a half, and that of fly boats and fishing vessels five feet: if the fathom here used was the first of these, the sounding was an hundred and twenty feet; the Ethiopic version renders it, “twenty statues of a man”.
And when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms; or ninety feet; by which they imagined that they were near the continent, or some island: in some places, as the coasts of Virginia, for instance, by the use of the deep sea line, it is known how far it is from land; for as many fathoms of water as are found, it is reckoned so many leagues from land.
r Scheffer. de Militia Navali Veterum, l. 2. c. 5. p. 150. s Chambers’s Cyclopaedia in the word “Sounding”.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
They sounded (). First aorist active participle of rare verb only here and in Eustathius who says it was familiar in ancient Greek. Apparently from , a missile or dart, and so to throw down the lead into the sea, to heave the lead, to take soundings. The inscriptions give for “leaden.”
Twenty fathoms ( ). This old word, from , to stretch, means the distance from one outstretched middle finger tip to the other likewise out-stretched.
After a little space ( ). Literally, “standing apart a little” (second aorist active participle of ), that is, the ship going a short distance further on. A ship today approaching St. Paul’s Bay by the rocky point of Koura would pass first twenty, then fifteen fathoms (Furneaux).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: (kai boisantes huron orguias eikssi) “and when they had sounded they found it to be twenty fathoms,” to the bottom of the sea, about one hundred to 120 feet in depth, calculating a fathom at from five to six feet.
2) “And when they had gone a little further,” (brachu de diastesantes) “Then having moved a little more toward land,” after a small interval of time.
3) “They sounded again,” (kai palin bolisantes) “They again sounded,” for the depth of the water.
4) “And found it fifteen fathoms.” (heuron orguias dekapente) “They found or determined it to be fifteen fathoms,” to the bottom, indicating that they were rapidly drifting upon some shore or shoals, with the depth of water at 75 to 90 feet.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
LANDING ON MELITA. Act. 27:28-44.
Act. 27:28
and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms; and after a little space, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms.
Act. 27:29
And fearing lest haply we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for the day.
Act. 27:30
And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under color as though they would lay out anchors from the foreship,
Act. 27:31
Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
Act. 27:32
Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
Act. 27:33
And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.
Act. 27:34
Wherefore I beseech you to take some food: for this is for your safety: for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any of you.
Act. 27:35
And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he brake it, and began to eat.
Act. 27:36
Then were they all of good cheer, and themselves also took food.
Act. 27:37
And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
Act. 27:38
And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
Act. 27:39
And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they perceived a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it.
Act. 27:40
And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosing the bands of the rudders; and hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.
Act. 27:41
But lighting upon a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the foreship struck and remained unmoveable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves.
Act. 27:42
And the soldiers counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should out, and escape.
Act. 27:43
But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land;
Act. 27:44
and the rest, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to the land.
Act. 27:28-29 It was on the fourteenth night that a different sound was heard above the wind and rain. The sailors immediately recognized it as the roar of the breakers on the beach. Sounding was taken in a short time and the depth found to be twenty fathoms (120 feet). Another sounding was taken and it was measured as fifteen fathoms (90 feet). The land was approaching rapidly. Lest they be thrown on the rocks they let go four anchors from the stern of the boat. They did not know where they were or what would become of them and the attitude of the heart is well expressed in the little phrase that follows the account of the lowering of the anchors:
And they wished (or prayed) for day.
Act. 27:30-32 Paul was on deck before daybreak and watched with a sharp and experienced eye the activities of all hands. The sailors can hardly be blamed for their actions considering their background and the circumstances. It was a matter of every man for himself, with them. And they would have indeed escaped and left the ship unmanned had it not been for the vigilance of the apostle. The sham of appearing to set out anchors from the bow of the ship was transparent to Paulhe who had been a night and a day in the deep. Turning to the centurion and the soldiers who also stood by watching the proceedings, gesturing to the sailors as they lowered the boat he cried:
Except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved.
All hands were going to be needed to care for the coming emergency and if the sailors left the others would suffer.
And so we can also learn the lesson from this circumstancethat although Paul knew the Lord had promised the safety of all, he was expected to do his part in the carrying out of Gods plan.
The soldiers immediately sprang to thwart the purpose of the sailors. The small boat had already been lowered and was even then bobbing in the sea. A soldier drew his short sword and leaning over the side of the ship severed the rope and let the small boat adrift.
993.
Why throw out the anchors?
994.
How could the words of Paul be true regarding the loss of all unless the sailor stayed aboard?
995.
What lesson can we learn from this circumstance respecting the Lords will?
Act. 27:33-36 And then the cold grey light of dawn began to streak the sky and when it was light enough to be seen Paul for the second time assembled the men around him on the deck of the ship and spoke to them on this wise:
Come now, let us take some food. It has been two weeksfourteen days since you ate at all. Food is for your safety. You will need strength for what is ahead of usbut I assure you that not a hair of your head shall perish. Come, let us eat.
And so saying, Paul took a loaf of bread in his hands and broke it. He then did a very wonderful thing. There on the deck of the doomed ship, amid more than two hundred heathen persons, he bowed his head and raised his voice in thanksgiving to the Father above.
What a testimony this action was and how we need to let our light shine in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Seeing the brave, confident example of the apostle, the others took heart and began to eat.
996.
What encouragement and testimony did Paul give at this point?
Act. 27:37-41 Luke here reminds us again that he was aboard, for he counts himself among these 276 souls on board.
When they had eaten enough they began to do what they could for the waterlogged vessel. It was evidently now all but swamped with water. Overboard went more of the wheat.
When the day had advanced far enough to see through the storm to land they perceived a certain land they knew not what nor where, but there was also a beach. Immediately there was talk as to whether they could bring the ship up on the beach in safety. They might better their lot by trying. Surely they could not long stay where they were. The anchor chains or ropes were unfastened, the iron bands that had held the great rudder loosed; this must be used and that skillfully if any kind of safe landing were to be made. A small sail was hoisted in the fore of the ship and the great unwieldly vessel began to move. Now, what they did not see was a small island out from the shore of Maltait would have been impossible for them to distinguish it from the mainland. But upon approaching the shore they could see the small isle of Salmonetta and the channel between it and the larger island. It was here that they encountered the two seas and alas a shallow channel!
According to those who have investigated the sea bed at this place, a very heavy, sticky clay is to be found here. Into this clay the bow of the ship was run with the greatest force. It stuck fast. But even as it did the heavy waves of the coast began to tear at the stern of the vessel. All could see that it would be no time until the whole ship would come to pieces. Then it was that almost all began to think of themselves and what would happen to them under such conditions. With characteristic Roman cruelty the soldiers suggested that the prisoners be killed since such an open means of escape was before them and the soldiers would be held responsible for their lives. But then was fulfilled, indeed, the words that for Pauls sake these would be saved.
997.
How many on board the ship?
998.
What did they do to improve the condition of the ship?
999.
Why try to sail into the land?
1000.
What did they fail to see in the land before them?
1001.
What caused them to go aground?
1002.
Why suggest to kill the prisoners?
1003.
How were all saved for Pauls sake?
Act. 27:42-44 The centurion, desiring to save Paul . . . and well he might for all that he had said and done, counseled that no one be harmed but that as many as could swim go overboard immediately and make for the shore; that those that could not were to look for a spar or plank or something from the ship that would float and with that aid reach safety. This was carried out posthaste and so all 276 persons came dripping up on the beach of Malta on that cold November morning.
1004.
What month was it that this happened?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(28) Twenty fathoms.The Greek noun so rendered was defined as the length of the outstretched arms from hand to hand, including the chest. It was reckoned as equal to four cubitsi.e., to about six feetand is therefore fairly represented by our fathom. The soundings here given agree with those that have actually been taken among the breakers off Cape Koura.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
28. Sounded Dropped the long line into the water with a leaden sinker at its end to ascertain its depth.
Twenty fathoms One hundred and twenty feet. The rapid decrease of depth was alarming. Before Paul’s speech the danger was from the depths, after it from the shallows.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
Ver. 28. Fifteen fathoms ] A sign they were nearer shore than before.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
28. ] , , . Eustath [160] on Il. . p. 427 (Wetst.).
[160] Eustathius, Bp. of Antioch, 323
] (Etymol. Magn.) = therefore very nearly one fathom. Every particular here corresponds with the actual state of things. At twenty-five fathoms depth (as given in evidence at the court-martial on the officers of the Lively, wrecked on this point in 1810), the curl of the sea was seen on the rocks in the night, but no land. The twenty fathoms would occur somewhat past this: the fifteen fathoms, in a direction W. by N. from the former, after a time sufficient to prepare for the unusual measure of anchoring by the stern. And just so are the soundings (see Capt. Smyth’s chart, Smith, p. 88), and the shore is here full of , mural precipices, upon which the sea must have been breaking with great violence.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 27:28 . : having let down the sounding-lead ( ), elsewhere only in Eustath., in active voice, but see also Grimm-Thayer, sub v. : five or six feet, a fathom, Grimm; Breusing compares Herod., iv., 41, and gives six feet; on the accent see Winer-Schmiedel, p. 72. “The ancient fathom so nearly agrees with the English that the difference may be neglected,” J. Smith, p. 131. : “and after a little space,” so Ramsay, Rendall; the phrase may refer to space or time; if we understand to or we should take it of the former (Grimm); but if we explain = (Blass), it may be taken of either. is only found in Luke for signifying any space of time, Luk 22:59 , cf. Act 5:7 ; but Luk 24:51 , . J. Smith shows how exactly the geographical details in the traditional St. Paul’s Bay correspond with the description here. Before a ship drifting from Cauda could enter the bay it would not only pass within a quarter of a mile of Point Kaura, north-east of Malta, but the measurements of 20 and 15 fathoms exactly correspond to ascertained soundings according to the vessel’s average of speed.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
sounded = having sounded. Greek. bolizo. Only here.
and = they.
fathoms. Greek. orguia. See App-51.
when, &c. = having proceeded. Greek. diistemi, to put, or stand, apart. Only here, and Luk 22:59 (literally one hour having intervened); Act 24:51 (was parted).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
28. ] , , . Eustath[160] on Il. . p. 427 (Wetst.).
[160] Eustathius, Bp. of Antioch, 323
] (Etymol. Magn.) = therefore very nearly one fathom. Every particular here corresponds with the actual state of things. At twenty-five fathoms depth (as given in evidence at the court-martial on the officers of the Lively, wrecked on this point in 1810), the curl of the sea was seen on the rocks in the night, but no land. The twenty fathoms would occur somewhat past this: the fifteen fathoms, in a direction W. by N. from the former, after a time sufficient to prepare for the unusual measure of anchoring by the stern. And just so are the soundings (see Capt. Smyths chart, Smith, p. 88), and the shore is here full of , mural precipices, upon which the sea must have been breaking with great violence.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
fathoms
One fathom = between 6 and 7 feet.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Reciprocal: Eze 3:6 – of a strange speech and of an hard language
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
8
Act 27:28. They sounded (measured the depth with a line and weight) and found it twenty fathoms, or about 120 feet. After going only a little further they found it fifteen fathoms, or about 90 feet.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 27:28. Sounded, and found it twenty fathoms. On hearing the breakers, their instinct would be to heave the lead and ascertain the depth of the water. The fathom () of the Greeks is practically the same measure of length as that which we designate by that term.
Sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. There is nothing extraordinary in finding a depth of fifteen fathoms soon after a depth of twenty fathoms had been found. But we must remember that this shallower depth was found in succession to the greater depth in the direction in which the ship was drifting, and that there had been time to ascertain this without the ship striking. These two conditions must be satisfied before we can identify the exact place of the shipwreck (see note on Act 27:41). They were now shoaling the water, and in imminent danger of striking, and the only possible expedient for safety was to anchor. From what follows, also, it would appear that there was possibly another reason for this conviction that they were in the utmost risk.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 27
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
28. Sounding and finding the sea only twenty fathoms deep and then running on a short distance and sounding again and finding it only fifteen fathoms, they know the land is nigh,