Strake sail (yaddoavtes Td oxedos). Lit., as Rev., lowered the gear. See on goods, Matt. xii. 29. It is uncertain what is referred to here. To strike sail, it is urged, would be a sure way of running upon the Syrtis, which they were trying to avoid. It is probably better to wnderstand it generally of the gear connected with the fair-weather sails. ‘‘ Every ship sit- uated as this one was, when preparing for a storm, sends down upon deck the ‘ top-hamper,’ or gear connected with the fair- weather sails, such as the topsails. A modern ship sends down top-gallant masts and yards; a cutter strikes her topmast when preparing for a gale” (Smith, “ Voyage,” ete.). The storm- sails were probably set.
Cu. XXVIL.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 595
18. Lightened (é«Borny érrovodvto). Lit., made a casting out. Rev., began to throw the freight overboard. Note the imper- fect, began to throw. The whole cargo was not cast overboard : the wheat was reserved to the last extremity (ver. 38).
19. Tackling (cxevyv). The word means equipment, furni- ture. The exact meaning here is uncertain. Some suppose it to refer to the main-yard ; an immense spar which would re- quire the united efforts of passengers and crew to throw over- board. It seems improbable, however, that they would have sacrificed so large a spar, which, in case of shipwreck, would support thirty or forty men in the water. The most generally received opinion is that it refers to the furniture of the ship— beds, tables, chests, ete.
21. Hearkened (revJapyijoavras). See on obey, ch. v. 29. Loosed (avdyeoSar). Reyv., set sail. See on Luke viii, 22. Harm (#@pw). See on ver. 10.
23. The angel. Rev., correctly, an angel. There is no article.
Of God (rod @eos). Rev., correctly, supplies the article : “the God,” added because Paul was addressing heathen, who would have understood by angel a messenger of the gods.
27. Adria. The Adriatic Sea: embracing all that part of the Mediterranean lying south of Italy, east of Sicily, and west of Greece.
Deemed (izrevdovr). Better, as Rev., suspected or surmised.
That they drew near to some country. Lit., that some land is drawing near to them.
380. Under color (xpopaces). Lit., on pretence.
596 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Ou. XXVII.
Cast (éxreiveww). Lit., to stretch out. The meaning is, to carry out an anchor to a distance from the prow by means of the small boat. Rev., day out.
33. While the day was coming on (aype S& ob eweddev juépa yer dar). Lit., until at should become day : in the inter- val between midnight and morning.
39. Bay («édzrov). See on bosom, Luke vi. 88.
Shore (aiyiardv). See on Matt. xiii, 2. Better, as Rev., beach.
They were minded (éBovredoarto). Better, as Rev., took counsel. See on Matt. i. 19.
40. Taken up (zepeeddvtes). Wrong. The word means 7o remove, and refers here to cutting the anchor-cables, or casting
off, as Rev.
Committed themselves (elo). Wrong. The reference is to the anchors. Rev., correctly, left them in the sea.
Rudder-bands (fevernplas tov mndariov). Lit., the bands of the rudders. The larger ships had two rudders, like broad oars or paddles, joined together by a pole, and managed by one steersman. They could be pulled up and fastened with bands to the ship ; as was done in this case, probably to avoid fouling the anchors when they were cast out of the stern. The bands were now loosened, in order that the ship might be driven for- ward.
Mainsail (dpréuova). Only here in New Testament. Prob- ably the foresail. So Rev.
Made toward (xatetyov). Lit., held ; bore down for.
Cu. XXVIIL] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 597
URAP THE 4X Vit.
1. They knew. The best texts read we knew: ascertained or recognized : with a reference to ver. 39.
2. Barbarous people. From the Roman point of view, re- garding all as barbarians who spoke neither Greek nor Latin. Not necessarily wneivilized. It is equivalent to foreigners. Compare Rom. i. 14; 1 Cor. xiv. 11. The inhabitants of Malta were of Carthaginian descent. “Even in the present day the natives of Malta have a peculiar language, termed the Maltese, which has been proved to be essentially an Arabic dialect, with an admixture of Italian ” (Gloag).