Topics

Ships

Ships in Scripture represent both practical transportation and spiritual symbolism, appearing in narratives of trade, mission, and God's sovereignty over human endeavors.

Overview

Ships served as vital vessels for commerce and travel throughout biblical history. Scripture records their use in maritime trade, missionary journeys, and as settings where God demonstrated His power and control over creation. The Bible often employs ships metaphorically to represent faith, obedience, and reliance on God's guidance.

Key Scriptures

"By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household" (Hebrews 11:7, NASB). "Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; he shall become a haven for ships, and his border shall be at Sidon" (Genesis 49:13, ESV). "Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights" (Jonah 1:17, NIV). "When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break" (Luke 5:6, NIV).

Application

Trust God's direction in your life's journey, recognizing that He sovereignly guides all circumstances, whether in stormy seas or calm waters.

Scripture References 40

1 Timothy 1:19 Genesis 49:13 Judges 5:17 Jonah 1:3 Acts 27:2 Acts 27:6 Acts 28:11 Jonah 1:6 Acts 27:11 Acts 27:20 Proverbs 30:18 Proverbs 30:19 Luke 5:4 Luke 5:5 Luke 5:6 Luke 5:7 Luke 5:8 Luke 5:9 John 21:3 John 21:4 John 21:5 John 21:6 John 21:7 John 21:8 Matthew 4:21 Isaiah 33:21 Acts 27:2 Acts 27:3 Acts 27:4 Acts 27:5 Acts 27:6 Acts 27:7 Ezekiel 27:5 James 3:4 Ezekiel 27:27 Ezekiel 27:28 Ezekiel 27:29 Ezekiel 27:8 Luke 5:1 Luke 5:2

Full Topical Reference List 109 total — Nave's Topical Bible

(Wrecked,) of departure from the faith

Antiquity of, among the Jews

Genesis 49:13 Judges 5:17

Carrying passengers

Acts 27:2 Acts 27:6 Acts 28:11 Jonah 1:3

Commanded by a master

Acts 27:11 Jonah 1:6

Course of frequently directed by the heavenly bodies

Acts 27:20

Course of, through the midst of the sea, wonderful

Proverbs 30:18 Proverbs 30:19

Fishing

John 21:3 John 21:4 John 21:5 John 21:6 John 21:7 John 21:8 Luke 5:4 Luke 5:5 Luke 5:6 Luke 5:7 Luke 5:8 Luke 5:9 Matthew 4:21

Gallant

Isaiah 33:21

Generally impelled by sails

Acts 27:2 Acts 27:3 Acts 27:4 Acts 27:5 Acts 27:6 Acts 27:7

Generally made of the fir tree

Ezekiel 27:5

Governed and directed by the helm

James 3:4

Guided in their course by pilots

Ezekiel 27:8 Ezekiel 27:27 Ezekiel 27:28 Ezekiel 27:29

Lakes

Luke 5:1 Luke 5:2

Large

James 3:4

Of Adramyttium

Acts 27:2

Of Alexandria

Acts 27:6

Of Chaldea

Isaiah 43:14

Of Chittim

Daniel 11:30 Numbers 24:24

Of industrious women

Of Tarshish

Isaiah 23:1 Isaiah 60:9

Of Tyre

2 Chronicles 8:18

Often impelled by oars

John 6:19 Jonah 1:13

Often the property of individuals

Acts 27:11

Probably originated from the ark made by Noah

Genesis 7:17 Genesis 7:18

Quicksands

Acts 27:17

Rivers

Isaiah 33:21

Rocks

Acts 27:29

Solomon built a navy of

1 Kings 9:26

Sometimes made of bulrushes

Isaiah 18:2

Soundings usually taken for, in dangerous places

Acts 27:28

Storms

Jonah 1:4 Mark 4:37 Mark 4:38

Strong

Isaiah 23:14

Swift

Job 9:26

The anchors

Acts 27:29 Acts 27:40

The boats

Acts 27:30 Acts 27:32

The forepart or foreship

Acts 27:30 Acts 27:41

The hinder part of, occupied by the passengers

Mark 4:38

The hinder part or stern

Acts 27:29 Acts 27:41

The hold or between the sides

Jonah 1:5

The mast

Ezekiel 27:5 Isaiah 33:23

The oars

Ezekiel 27:6 Isaiah 33:21

The ocean

Psalms 104:26 Psalms 107:23

The rudder or helm

James 3:4

The rudder-bands

Acts 27:40

The sails

Ezekiel 27:7 Isaiah 33:23

The seams of, were caulked

Ezekiel 27:9 Ezekiel 27:27

The tackling

Acts 27:19 Isaiah 33:23

Trading

1 Kings 22:48 2 Chronicles 8:18 2 Chronicles 9:21

Usually distinguished by signs or figure heads

Acts 28:11

War

Daniel 11:30 Daniel 11:40 Numbers 24:24

Were often wrecked

1 Kings 22:48 2 Corinthians 11:25 Acts 27:41 Acts 27:42 Acts 27:43 Acts 27:44 Psalms 48:7

When damaged were sometimes undergirded with cables

Acts 27:17

Worked by mariners or sailors

Acts 27:30 Ezekiel 27:9 Ezekiel 27:27 Jonah 1:5

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