Swimming, the act of moving through water by using the limbs, is not explicitly mentioned as a recreational or competitive activity in the Bible. However, the ability to swim and the concept of moving through water are implied in several biblical narratives and contexts.

Biblical References and Contexts

1. Survival and Safety: The ability to swim is indirectly referenced in the context of survival. In Acts 27, the Apostle Paul is involved in a shipwreck. The narrative describes how those who could swim were instructed to jump overboard and make for land: "The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land" (Acts 27:44). This passage suggests that swimming was a known skill, useful for survival in emergencies.

2. Symbolism of Water: Water holds significant symbolic meaning throughout the Bible, often representing chaos, cleansing, and life. While swimming itself is not directly mentioned, the act of moving through water can be seen as a metaphor for navigating life's challenges with faith and reliance on God. The Israelites crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and the Jordan River (Joshua 3) are examples of God's deliverance through water, though these events are miraculous rather than involving swimming.

3. Cultural and Historical Context: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, swimming was likely a practical skill for those living near bodies of water, such as the Sea of Galilee or the Mediterranean Sea. Fishermen, like some of Jesus' disciples, would have been familiar with water and possibly swimming, though the Bible does not explicitly state this.

4. Spiritual Lessons: While the Bible does not provide direct teachings on swimming, the imagery of water and the need to navigate it can be applied to spiritual lessons. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's guidance and protection as they face the "waters" of life's trials and uncertainties. Isaiah 43:2 offers reassurance: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you."

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, swimming can be seen as an allegory for the Christian journey. Just as a swimmer must rely on skill and strength to stay afloat and reach their destination, Christians are called to rely on faith and the strength provided by God to navigate the spiritual waters of life. The act of swimming, though not explicitly mentioned, can serve as a reminder of the need for perseverance, trust, and reliance on divine support.

Practical Considerations

In modern times, swimming is recognized as a valuable skill for safety, health, and recreation. While the Bible does not address swimming directly, the principles of stewardship of the body and the enjoyment of God's creation can be applied. Christians are encouraged to care for their physical well-being and to find joy in the activities that promote health and fellowship.

In summary, while swimming is not a prominent theme in the Bible, its indirect references and the broader symbolism of water provide rich material for reflection on faith, survival, and the Christian life.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Swim.

2. (a.) That swims; capable of swimming; adapted to, or used in, swimming; as, a swimming bird; a swimming motion.

3. (a.) Suffused with moisture; as, swimming eyes.

4. (n.) The act of one who swims.

5. (a.) Being in a state of vertigo or dizziness; as, a swimming brain.

6. (n.) Vertigo; dizziness; as, a swimming in the head.

2861. kolumbethra -- a pool
... a pool. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: kolumbethra Phonetic Spelling:
(kol-oom-bay'-thrah) Short Definition: a pool, swimming-place Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2861.htm - 6k

1579. ekkolumbao -- to swim out of
... swim out. From ek and kolumbao; to escape by swimming -- swim out. see GREEK ek.
see GREEK kolumbao. (ekkolumbesas) -- 1 Occurrence. 1578, 1579. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1579.htm - 6k

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

The Manich??an Fictions About Things Good and Evil are not ...
... waters, another of winds, another of fire, another of smoke; to the animals born
in each of these elements,"serpents in the darkness, swimming creatures in ...
/.../chapter 9 name manichaean fictions.htm

Voyage to China
... I had felt it a duty to comply with the earnest wish of my beloved and honoured
mother, and for her sake to procure a swimming-belt. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter viii voyage to china.htm

Parasitism.
... filaments protrude. Its four hind limbs entirely disappear, and twelve
short-forked swimming organs temporarily take their place. Thus ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/parasitism.htm

A Religious Person is not Perfect by his Profession. ...
... and celestial happiness to a most delicious paradise, divided from this desert by
a deep and tempestuous river, which must necessarily be passed by swimming. ...
/.../chapter v a religious person.htm

Manich??us Got the Arrangement of his Fanciful Notions from ...
... Then the idea of swimming things in the water might easily be got here, and applied
to the fanciful objects in that region; and so of flying things in the winds ...
/.../chapter 32 name got the.htm

The Creation of Moving Creatures.
... given, and immediately the rivers and lakes becoming fruitful brought forth their
natural broods; the sea travailed with all kinds of swimming creatures; not ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily vii the creation of.htm

I Might Well Reply as I have done Even if it were a Question of a ...
... Often I have seen myself in dreams dead and placed in the grave: often I have flown
over the earth and been carried as if swimming through the air, over ...
/.../31 i might well reply.htm

How Herod Upon his Making Aristobulus High Priest Took Care that ...
... At first they were only spectators of Herod's servants and acquaintance as they
were swimming; but after a while, the young man, at the instigation of Herod ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how herod upon.htm

The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals.
... We conclude that, by their nature, swimming creatures appear only to have an
imperfect life, because they live in the thick element of water. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily viii the creation of.htm

Arria and Her Brother were Far from the Shores of Hellas and Near ...
... Yonder is an island. We shall soon be near it, and by swimming he may save his life.". ...
They could see him rise and turn towards the isle, swimming. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 21 arria and her.htm

Swimming (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Swim. 2. (a.) That swims; capable of swimming; adapted to,
or used in, swimming; as, a swimming bird; a swimming motion. ...
/s/swimming.htm - 9k

Swim (8 Occurrences)
... a fluid. 5. (vi) To be filled with swimming animals. 6. (vt) To pass or
move over or on by swimming; as, to swim a stream. 7. (vt ...
/s/swim.htm - 9k

Plates (19 Occurrences)
... you may have for food of all things living in the water: anything living in the
water, in the seas or rivers, which has special parts for swimming and skin ...
/p/plates.htm - 12k

Wing (18 Occurrences)
... modified for flight, but in the case of a few species of birds, as the ostrich,
auk, etc., the wings are used only as an assistance in running or swimming. ...
/w/wing.htm - 15k

Birds (125 Occurrences)
... In the case of a few birds that do not fly, the wings are beaten to assist in attaining
speed in running, as the ostrich, or to help in swimming under the water ...
/b/birds.htm - 62k

Formed (91 Occurrences)
... you may have for food of all things living in the water: anything living in the
water, in the seas or rivers, which has special parts for swimming and skin ...
/f/formed.htm - 34k

Wings (81 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 14:9 And of the things living in the waters, you may take all those
who have wings for swimming with and skins formed of thin plates. (BBE). ...
/w/wings.htm - 34k

Thin (39 Occurrences)
... you may have for food of all things living in the water: anything living in the
water, in the seas or rivers, which has special parts for swimming and skin ...
/t/thin.htm - 19k

Special (89 Occurrences)
... you may have for food of all things living in the water: anything living in the
water, in the seas or rivers, which has special parts for swimming and skin ...
/s/special.htm - 34k

Skin (115 Occurrences)
... you may have for food of all things living in the water: anything living in the
water, in the seas or rivers, which has special parts for swimming and skin ...
/s/skin.htm - 44k

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