Definition and Context:
Swimming is the act of moving through water by using the limbs. In the Bible, swimming is mentioned in a few instances, often metaphorically or in the context of survival and escape. The act of swimming is not a central theme in Scripture, but it appears in narratives that highlight human effort, divine intervention, and the natural world.

Biblical References:
One of the most direct references to swimming is found in the account of the Apostle Paul. In Acts 27:42-44, during Paul's journey to Rome, the ship he was on encountered a violent storm and was shipwrecked. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent their escape, but the centurion, wanting to spare Paul, ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. "The rest were to follow on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land" (Acts 27:44). This passage illustrates swimming as a means of survival and deliverance.

Another reference is found in Isaiah 25:11, where the prophet uses the imagery of swimming to describe God's judgment and power over Moab: "He will spread out His hands within it, as a swimmer spreads out his hands to swim. And He will bring down their pride together with the trickery of their hands" . Here, swimming is used metaphorically to depict the thoroughness and inevitability of divine judgment.

Symbolism and Themes:
Swimming in the Bible can symbolize human effort and the struggle for survival. It is often associated with the idea of overcoming obstacles and reaching safety, as seen in the account of Paul's shipwreck. The act of swimming can also represent the human condition of being in a state of vulnerability, relying on both personal effort and divine providence for deliverance.

In a broader sense, swimming can be seen as a metaphor for navigating the challenges of life. Just as a swimmer must contend with the currents and waves, believers are called to persevere through trials and rely on God's strength and guidance.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the instances of swimming in the Bible underscore the themes of divine protection and human responsibility. While individuals are called to take action and use their abilities, ultimate deliverance and safety are attributed to God's intervention and grace. This balance between human effort and divine sovereignty is a recurring theme throughout Scripture.

Practical Application:
For believers, the concept of swimming can serve as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and faith in the face of life's challenges. Just as swimmers must trust in their skills and the buoyancy of the water, Christians are encouraged to trust in God's promises and His sustaining power. The imagery of swimming can inspire believers to remain steadfast and hopeful, knowing that God is with them in every trial and will ultimately bring them safely to their eternal home.1. (v. i.) To be supported by water or other fluid; not to sink; to float; as, any substance will swim, whose specific gravity is less than that of the fluid in which it is immersed.

2. (v. i.) To move progressively in water by means of strokes with the hands and feet, or the fins or the tail.

3. (v. i.) To be overflowed or drenched.

4. (v. i.) Fig.: To be as if borne or floating in a fluid.

5. (v. i.) To be filled with swimming animals.

6. (v. t.) To pass or move over or on by swimming; as, to swim a stream.

7. (v. t.) To cause or compel to swim; to make to float; as, to swim a horse across a river.

8. (v. t.) To immerse in water that the lighter parts may float; as, to swim wheat in order to select seed.

9. (n.) The act of swimming; a gliding motion, like that of one swimming.

10. (n.) The sound, or air bladder, of a fish.

11. (n.) A part of a stream much frequented by fish.

12. (v. i.) To be dizzy; to have an unsteady or reeling sensation; as, the head swims.

1579. ekkolumbao -- to swim out of
... to swim out of. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekkolumbao Phonetic Spelling:
(ek-kol-oom-bah'-o) Short Definition: I swim out Definition: I swim out (of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1579.htm - 6k

2860. kolumbao -- to plunge into the sea
... to plunge into the sea. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kolumbao Phonetic
Spelling: (kol-oom-bah'-o) Short Definition: I swim Definition: (properly: I dive ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2860.htm - 6k

7811. sachah -- to swim
... to swim. Transliteration: sachah Phonetic Spelling: (saw-khaw') Short Definition:
swim. ... root Definition to swim NASB Word Usage swim (2), swimmer (1). ...
/hebrew/7811.htm - 5k

7813. sachu -- swimming
... swimming. Transliteration: sachu Phonetic Spelling: (saw'-khoo) Short Definition:
swim. Word Origin from sachah Definition swimming NASB Word Usage swim (1). ...
/hebrew/7813.htm - 6k

6687. tsuph -- to flow, overflow
... make to overflow, swim. A primitive root; to overflow -- (make to over-)flow,
swim. 6686, 6687. tsuph. 6688 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6687.htm - 5k

6824. tsaphah -- an outflow
... Word Origin from tsuph Definition an outflow NASB Word Usage discharge (1). swim.
From tsaphah; an inundation (as covering) -- X swimmest. see HEBREW tsaphah. ...
/hebrew/6824.htm - 6k

A Short Home Mission Sermon.
... IV. A SHORT HOME MISSION SERMON. "The Iron did swim.""2ND KINGS, vi, 6. DID IT? ...
"The iron did swim." How? for. SUNKEN THINGS DO NOT RAISE THEMSELVES. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/iv a short home mission.htm

Baptism --A Burial
... A few among us are learning to swim; but then we only swim where the bottom
is almost within reach. Who among us has yet come to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/baptisma burial.htm

God the Teacher.
... You would try to learn the laws about the ship; namely the laws of floatation, by
fulfilling which vessels swim, and by breaking which vessels sink. ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xi god the teacher.htm

Gainas Meets his Doom
... Those who could not swim were instantly drowned, the more easily because many
of them were encumbered with the weight of their armour. ...
/.../chapter xxxiv gainas meets his.htm

Light and Shade.
... The remaining boat was then lowered. Those of the crew who were able to
swim were directed to swim to the shore. The captain, first ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/iv light and shade.htm

Thus Far I have Made Answer About My Crimes, and Indeed in Defence ...
... away by the tempest and nearly drowned in deep water feels for the strong swimmer
at whose foot he clutches: he is determined that I shall sink or swim with him ...
/.../1 thus far i have.htm

A Total Wreck, all Hands Saved
... And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any-of them should
swim out, and escape.43. But the centurion, willing ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a total wreck all hands.htm

The Perseverance of Faith
... "Thanks God," said she, "I can swim;" and so she swam across, and reached the
other side without boat, without bridge, and without ford. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the perseverance of faith.htm

November 14. "The Things which are Seen are Temporal" (ii. Cor. Iv ...
... are unseen! If Peter is to walk on the water, he must walk; if he is going
to swim, he must swim, but he cannot do both. If the ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /november 14 the things which.htm

Narrow Escapes. Is Thrown from a Horse. Has Pneumonia. Nearly ...
... I never could swim successfully, but a number of those present were good swimmers,
and there were many slabs on the pond that would float several men. ...
/.../chapter x narrow escapes is.htm

Swim (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To be supported by water or other fluid; not to sink; to float; as, any
substance will swim, whose specific gravity is less than that of the fluid in ...
/s/swim.htm - 9k

Float (4 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) Anything used to buoy up whatever is liable to sink; an inflated bag
or pillow used by persons learning to swim; a life preserver. ...
/f/float.htm - 10k

Plan (58 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 27:42 The soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, so that
none of them would swim out and escape. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/plan.htm - 23k

Swimmer (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 25:11 And he spread out his hands in its midst, As spread out doth the swimmer
to swim; And He hath humbled his excellency With the machinations of his ...
/s/swimmer.htm - 6k

Counsel (192 Occurrences)
... (ASV YLT). Acts 27:42 The soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, so that none
of them would swim out and escape. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/c/counsel.htm - 39k

Overboard (5 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:43 But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose,
and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard ...
/o/overboard.htm - 7k

Jump (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:43 But their Captain, bent on securing Paul's safety, kept them from their
purpose and gave orders that those who could swim should first jump ...
/j/jump.htm - 8k

Wishing (25 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:43 but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, hindered them from the counsel,
and did command those able to swim, having cast themselves out first -- to ...
/w/wishing.htm - 13k

Watercourses (14 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV DBY RSV). Ezekiel 32:6 I will also water with your blood the land in which
you swim, even to the mountains; and the watercourses shall be full of you. ...
/w/watercourses.htm - 11k

Wearied (36 Occurrences)
... YLT). Psalms 6:6 I am wearied with my groaning; all the night make I my bed
to swim; I dissolve my couch with my tears. (DBY). Psalms ...
/w/wearied.htm - 17k

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