In the context of the Bible, boatmen played a significant role in the daily life and economy of ancient Israel and surrounding regions. The geographical setting of the biblical narrative, with its proximity to bodies of water such as the Sea of Galilee, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Jordan River, necessitated the use of boats for transportation, fishing, and trade.

Biblical References

1. Fishermen on the Sea of Galilee: The most notable boatmen in the New Testament are the fishermen of the Sea of Galilee. Several of Jesus' disciples, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John, were fishermen by trade. In Matthew 4:18-22 , Jesus calls these fishermen to follow Him, saying, "Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." This calling highlights the transition from their earthly occupation to their spiritual mission.

2. Jesus Calms the Storm: In Mark 4:35-41 , Jesus and His disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm arises. The disciples, experienced boatmen, are terrified, but Jesus calms the storm with a command, demonstrating His authority over nature. This event underscores the challenges faced by boatmen and the divine power of Christ.

3. Paul's Journeys: The Apostle Paul frequently traveled by sea during his missionary journeys. In Acts 27 , Paul is a prisoner being transported to Rome when the ship encounters a severe storm. The narrative provides insight into the life of sailors and the perils of ancient maritime travel. Paul's leadership and faith during the crisis reveal the providence of God in guiding and protecting His servants.

Cultural and Economic Significance

Boatmen were integral to the economy of the ancient Near East. Fishing was a primary industry, especially around the Sea of Galilee, where fish were a staple food. The skills of boatmen were essential for navigating the waters, casting nets, and transporting goods and people. The presence of boatmen in the biblical narrative reflects the interconnectedness of communities through trade and travel.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

The imagery of boats and boatmen in the Bible often carries symbolic meaning. Boats can represent the church or the journey of faith, navigating the waters of life with Christ as the captain. The calling of fishermen to be disciples illustrates the transformative power of Christ's call, turning ordinary laborers into spiritual leaders.

In summary, boatmen in the Bible are depicted as skilled workers whose lives intersect with significant biblical events and teachings. Their presence in the narrative serves as a backdrop for divine encounters and lessons in faith, obedience, and the sovereignty of God over creation.(n.) Plural of Boatman.

The Conquest of Babylon.
... Babylon."The River Euphrates."Canals."Curious boats."Their mode of construction."
Primitive navigation."Return of the boatmen."Extent of Babylon ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter viii the conquest of.htm

Discourse on Spiritual Food and True Discipleship. Peter's ...
... In the meantime the keen-eyed boatmen about Tiberias, then the largest city on the
lake, seeing the multitude on the farther shore, saw in their presence there ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxiv discourse on spiritual food.htm

Wesley Nearly Drowned
... able to swim ashore. The boatmen were amazed as well as the rest; but they
quickly recovered and rowed for life. And soon after, our ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley nearly drowned.htm

Mission Tours.
... Though the weather of the cold season is very steady, a storm might come on, and
if it did neither boat nor boatmen could be trusted; for the boat, never of ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xiv mission tours.htm

With the Rev. William Burns
... The boatmen were very much alarmed, and insisted on returning to some place nearer
home. ... In the meanwhile the boatmen had succeeded in moving off. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xi with the rev.htm

The Child Moses.
... Other workers placed the bricks in baskets and carried them away to the boats in
the river, for the boatmen to take up to the great cities where the walls were ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the child moses.htm

The Blossoming Desert.
... They came from among the shopkeepers and boatmen of Amoy, from cities and towns
along the arms of the sea and up the inland rivers, from remote country hamlets ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/vii the blossoming desert.htm

The Cocal
... itself, though the agricultural work hard and well, who that knows the West
Indies knows not the insubordination of the Bridgetown boatmen, among whose ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xiii the cocal.htm

Voyage to Benares.
... the Ganges are exposed, from the strong and eddying currents in some parts of the
river, and perhaps most of all from the treacherous character of the boatmen. ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter ii voyage to benares.htm

The Procession of Amen
... eastern shore. Crossing, he dismissed his eager and excited boatmen and
struck across the noon-heated valley toward the temple. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter iv the procession of.htm

Boatmen (3 Occurrences)
...Boatmen (3 Occurrences). Ezekiel 27:8 The people of Zidon and Arvad were your boatmen;
the wise men of Zemer were in you; they were guiding your ships; (BBE). ...
/b/boatmen.htm - 7k

Guiding (69 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:8 The people of Zidon and Arvad were your boatmen; the wise men
of Zemer were in you; they were guiding your ships; (BBE). ...
/g/guiding.htm - 26k

Zemer (1 Occurrence)
... Zemer (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 27:8 The people of Zidon and Arvad were your boatmen;
the wise men of Zemer were in you; they were guiding your ships; (BBE RSV). ...
/z/zemer.htm - 6k

Seamen (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:29 And all the boatmen, the seamen and those who are expert at guiding
a ship through the sea, will come down from their ships and take their places ...
/s/seamen.htm - 8k

Boat (52 Occurrences)

/b/boat.htm - 22k

Boats (11 Occurrences)
... doubt also made use of the sail when the wind was favorable (Luke 8:23), though
the pictures which we have in the Gospels are mostly of the boatmen toiling in ...
/b/boats.htm - 40k

Expert (59 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:29 And all the boatmen, the seamen and those who are expert at guiding
a ship through the sea, will come down from their ships and take their places ...
/e/expert.htm - 25k

Ships (46 Occurrences)
... doubt also made use of the sail when the wind was favorable (Luke 8:23), though
the pictures which we have in the Gospels are mostly of the boatmen toiling in ...
/s/ships.htm - 53k

Galilee (73 Occurrences)
... billows. Such storms are fairly frequent, and as they are attended with danger
to small craft, the boatmen are constantly on the alert. ...
/g/galilee.htm - 67k

Sea (4178 Occurrences)
... billows. Such storms are fairly frequent, and as they are attended with danger
to small craft, the boatmen are constantly on the alert. ...
/s/sea.htm - 87k

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