βραδυπλοέω

I sail slowly

Definition

The verb βραδυπλοέω (bradyploeō) means 'to sail slowly' or 'to make slow progress by sea.' It is a compound word that vividly describes the action of a ship moving at a reduced speed, typically due to adverse conditions like contrary winds or difficult navigation. In its sole biblical occurrence in Acts 27:7, it describes the Apostle Paul's ship struggling against the wind as it sailed along the coast of Crete, taking many days to cover a relatively short distance. This specific usage highlights a situation of hindered travel and gradual, laborious movement on a sea voyage.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 27:7, within the narrative of Paul's perilous journey to Rome. It describes the specific nautical challenge faced by the ship after leaving Cnidus: 'When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone.' The usage is purely descriptive of the voyage's physical difficulty, setting the stage for the subsequent storm and shipwreck narrative that follows in the chapter.

Etymology

βραδυπλοέω is a compound verb derived from two Greek roots: βραδύς (bradys, G1021), meaning 'slow,' and πλοέω (ploeō), a verb related to πλέω (pleō), meaning 'to sail.' Thus, it literally means 'to slow-sail' or 'to sail slowly.' It is a descriptive, situational term used specifically for maritime travel, reflecting the Greek language's capacity to create precise compound words for specific actions.

Semantic Range

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, sea travel was common but perilous and heavily dependent on favorable winds. Sailing 'slowly' (βραδυπλοέω) was not a leisurely cruise but often indicated a struggle against natural elements, leading to delayed schedules, increased consumption of supplies, and heightened risk. The term in Acts 27:7 would have immediately conveyed a sense of difficulty and potential danger to a first-century audience familiar with Mediterranean travel, effectively painting a picture of a journey becoming arduous before the dramatic storm hits.

βραδύνω (bradynō, G1019) — a more general verb meaning 'to delay, be slow,' not specific to sailing. πλέω (pleō, G4126) — the basic verb 'to sail,' without the connotation of speed.

Word Details

Scripture References