βολίζω (bolizō)
bolizō
to sound
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb bolizō describes the specific nautical practice of taking soundings to measure water depth. It refers to casting a weighted line, or lead, into the sea to determine how deep the waters are ahead. This technical term appears only once in the New Testament, located in Acts 27:28.
The context is a perilous storm at sea where Paul and his companions are aboard a ship driven by fierce winds. As the sailors struggle to navigate safely, they take soundings to avoid running aground on hidden rocks or shallow reefs. The word captures the tension of that moment, highlighting the crew's attempt to assess their danger through practical maritime skill.
Its etymology connects it to the noun for a sounding-lead, emphasizing the physical action of measuring the abyss. By using this precise term, the text grounds the spiritual narrative in the tangible reality of ancient seafaring, reminding readers that even divine protection operates within the constraints of human effort and natural law.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word bolizō appears just once in the New Testament, describing sailors casting a weighted line to measure ocean depth. In Acts 27:28, Paul and his companions face a violent storm where survival depends on practical skill. The crew uses this nautical technique to gauge how deep the waters are, trying to avoid hidden reefs as the ship drifts.
This moment reminds us that faith does not ignore reality. Even when divine protection is promised, we still take responsible steps to navigate danger. The sailors’ careful measurement shows that trusting God often involves using the wisdom and tools available to us. It grounds our spiritual journey in tangible, everyday actions.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having taken soundings2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βολίσαντες2×
Key Verses
-
Acts 27:28
They took soundings and found twenty fathoms. After a little while, they took soundings again, and found fifteen fathoms.
This verse captures the tension of the storm as sailors use bolizō to measure depth, showing how practical effort coexists with divine presence in crisis.