Ideas and images drawn from seafaring are used in Scripture to illustrate important aspects of the Christian life. Although Israel was not a seafaring nation, ships and sailing played a part in her history, as they did in the spreading of the gospel in the NT.
Israel's harbours
Genesis 49:13 See also Judges 5:17
Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.
The art of shipbuilding
Ships used for various purposes
Deliverance from danger: Noah's ark
Trade
1 Kings 9:27–28 parallel 2 Chronicles 8:18Ezekiel 27:25 See also 1 Kings 10:11, 1 Kings 10:22 parallel 2 Chronicles 9:21; 1 Kings 22:48–49 parallel 2 Chronicles 20:35–37
And Hiram sent his servants, sailors who knew the sea, to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s servants. They sailed to Ophir and imported gold from there— 420 talents— and delivered it to Solomon.
The ships of Tarshish carried your merchandise. And you were filled with heavy cargo in the heart of the sea.
Slavery
Deuteronomy 28:68; Revelation 18:11–13
Invasion
Numbers 24:24 See also Ezekiel 30:9; Daniel 11:30, Daniel 11:40
Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”
To carry refugees
Surely the islands will wait for Me, with the ships of Tarshish in the lead, to bring your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you.
To carry passengers
Jonah 1:3; Matthew 9:1; Acts 13:4 See also Matthew 14:13, Matthew 15:39; Mark 3:9; Acts 13:13, Acts 14:26, Acts 15:39, Acts 16:11, Acts 18:18 Paul sails for Syria with Aquila and Priscilla; Acts 18:21, Acts 20:3, Acts 20:6, Acts 20:13–16, Acts 21:1–3, Acts 21:6–7, Acts 27:1–8, Acts 28:11–13
Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.
Jesus got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own town.
So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.
Seafarers
Psalm 107:23–30; 2 Corinthians 11:25 See also 1 Kings 22:48 parallel 2 Chronicles 20:37; Jonah 1:3–15; Matthew 8:23–27 parallels Mark 4:35–41, Luke 8:22–26; Matthew 14:22–33 parallels Mark 6:45–53, John 6:16–21; Acts 27:9–44
Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish. They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed. They rejoiced in the silence, and He guided them to the harbor they desired.
Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.
Judgment on seafarers
Isaiah 23:1 See also Isaiah 2:16, Isaiah 23:14, Isaiah 33:21–23, Isaiah 43:14; Ezekiel 27:26–36; Revelation 18:17–19
This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus.
Metaphorical references to ships and seafaring
Spiritual immaturity as a ship tossed at sea
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.
Abandoning sound teaching as shipwreck
holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith.
Faith as an anchor
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
Other seafaring analogies
James 3:4–5 See also Psalm 48:7; Proverbs 31:14; James 1:6
Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.
Noah's ark as a symbol of Jesus Christ
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.