Navigation: Sounding In
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Sounding in navigation refers to the practice of measuring the depth of water, typically using a lead line, to ensure safe passage for vessels. This ancient technique was crucial for mariners to avoid underwater hazards and to determine their location relative to the coastline or other landmarks. In biblical times, sounding was an essential skill for sailors navigating the Mediterranean Sea and other bodies of water mentioned in Scripture.

The practice of sounding is explicitly mentioned in the New Testament during the Apostle Paul's perilous journey to Rome. In Acts 27, Paul is aboard a ship that encounters a violent storm. As the crew struggles to maintain control of the vessel, they resort to sounding to assess their proximity to land. Acts 27:28 states, "They took soundings and found that the water was twenty fathoms deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was fifteen fathoms deep." This passage illustrates the use of sounding as a means to gauge the depth of the sea and the imminent danger of running aground.

The context of this event highlights the importance of navigation skills in ancient maritime travel. The Mediterranean Sea, with its unpredictable weather and hidden shoals, posed significant challenges to sailors. Sounding provided a practical solution to these challenges, allowing mariners to make informed decisions based on the depth readings they obtained.

In the broader biblical narrative, the sea often symbolizes chaos and uncertainty, reflecting the unpredictable nature of life and the need for divine guidance. The act of sounding, therefore, can be seen as a metaphor for seeking understanding and direction amidst life's uncertainties. Just as sailors relied on soundings to navigate safely, believers are encouraged to seek wisdom and discernment through prayer and Scripture to navigate the complexities of life.

The use of sounding in Acts 27 also underscores the theme of divine providence. Despite the dire circumstances, Paul's faith and God's intervention ultimately lead to the safety of all aboard the ship. This account serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and care, even in the midst of life's storms.

In summary, sounding in navigation is a practice deeply rooted in the maritime culture of biblical times. It serves as both a practical tool for sailors and a symbolic representation of the search for guidance and assurance in the face of uncertainty. The biblical account of Paul's journey to Rome provides a vivid illustration of the technique's application and its spiritual implications.
Nave's Topical Index
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Contribution of the Natural and Social Sciences
... Philosophy, science, the fine arts, commerce, navigation, government, are all in
close mutual ... of mankind, in so far as it is not a sounding phrase, is an ...
/.../chapter v the contribution of.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... The sounding of each successive trumpet marks the commencement of an era, of a longer ...
of timber; his new subjects were skilled in the art of navigation and ship ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible in Spain
... that this delightful book does not bear a more romantic sounding title"'Wanderings ...
The rivers which are really adapted to navigation are, however, only those ...
/.../a supplementary chapter to the.htm

Methodist Book Concern
... improvement in the art of printing as great as the improvement in navigation by
the ... and it has been, not a "tinkling cymbal," but a high-sounding instrument of ...
/.../chapter 16 methodist book concern.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... the truth opposes these teachings, and hopes with the sounding word "ungeneracy ... should
be exercised before the existence of farmers, or navigation before that ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... and sought to succour him in his distress; they cried aloud, they were beside
themselves with excitement, beating their breasts, sounding their instruments of ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Resources
GotQuestions.org Mobile Device Apps | GotQuestions.org

Christian podcasts - Audio Bible Questions - MP3 | GotQuestions.org

Questions about 3 John | GotQuestions.org

Navigation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Navigation

Navigation: Sounding In

Related Terms

Tarshish (24 Occurrences)

Boats (11 Occurrences)

Ivory (13 Occurrences)

Hiram (21 Occurrences)

Tharshish (3 Occurrences)

Trading (24 Occurrences)

Peacock

Peacocks (3 Occurrences)

Baboons (2 Occurrences)

Apes (2 Occurrences)

Lieutenant

Almug (2 Occurrences)

Arvad (2 Occurrences)

Arvadites (1 Occurrence)

Ships (46 Occurrences)

Ophir (12 Occurrences)

Carrying (88 Occurrences)

Navigation (2 Occurrences)

Jamnites

Jabneh (1 Occurrence)

Jabneel (2 Occurrences)

Geber (9 Occurrences)

Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)

Ration (2 Occurrences)

Retreat (10 Occurrences)

Rank (42 Occurrences)

Ezion (7 Occurrences)

Ezion-geber (6 Occurrences)

Eloth (3 Occurrences)

Ensign (21 Occurrences)

Elath (6 Occurrences)

E'zion-Ge'ber (6 Occurrences)

Eziongeber (3 Occurrences)

Maritime (1 Occurrence)

Mate (9 Occurrences)

Martial (1 Occurrence)

Pharaohnecoh

Pharaoh-necoh (3 Occurrences)

Press (57 Occurrences)

Power (862 Occurrences)

Broad (113 Occurrences)

Captain (167 Occurrences)

Colt (15 Occurrences)

Cargoes (4 Occurrences)

Almug-trees (2 Occurrences)

Almugwood (2 Occurrences)

Algum (3 Occurrences)

Appropriate (19 Occurrences)

Suph (9 Occurrences)

Sailors (9 Occurrences)

Sandal-wood (5 Occurrences)

Salamis (1 Occurrence)

Shipmen (4 Occurrences)

Strength (517 Occurrences)

Plenty (43 Occurrences)

Tarsus (5 Occurrences)

Familiar (35 Occurrences)

Cyprus (12 Occurrences)

Amount (66 Occurrences)

Nay (92 Occurrences)

Shore (45 Occurrences)

Red (124 Occurrences)

Edom (108 Occurrences)

Trees (179 Occurrences)

Sea (4178 Occurrences)

Judah (802 Occurrences)

Solomon (277 Occurrences)

Kingdom (409 Occurrences)

Precious (128 Occurrences)

Navigation
Top of Page
Top of Page