ὑποπλέω (hupopleō)
hupopleō
to sail the lee
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb hupopleō describes a specific maritime maneuver: to sail under the lee of something, keeping the wind and waves at bay by staying close to the leeward side of land or another vessel. It appears only twice in the New Testament, both within the dramatic narrative of Paul’s voyage to Rome in Acts 27. In these verses, the crew uses this technique to navigate safely past dangerous coastlines, hugging the shore of Cyprus and later sailing under the lee of Cnidus to avoid the open sea.
Etymologically, the word combines hupo ("under") and pleō ("to sail"). This literal sense of seeking shelter from the storm’s force provides a vivid image for the text. The sources do not suggest a metaphorical or spiritual meaning beyond this physical action; it is a precise nautical term used to convey the practical difficulties and careful navigation required during that perilous journey.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Paul’s ship faced contrary winds near Cyprus and later off the coast of Crete, the crew did not fight the storm head-on. Instead, they sailed under the lee, using landmasses to block the worst of the wind and waves. This practical nautical maneuver kept them safe until conditions improved. It is a quiet reminder that wisdom sometimes means seeking shelter rather than forcing progress.
In our own lives, there are seasons when the winds of circumstance blow against us. We may feel pressured to push forward despite the danger, but Scripture shows us that prudent caution is also a form of faithfulness. By staying close to the shore of God’s promises, we find protection from the fiercest gales. This word captures the humility of accepting help and the strength found in resting in divine care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- we sailed under2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑπεπλεύσαμεν2×
Key Verses
-
Acts 27:4
Putting to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
This verse shows the crew adapting to contrary winds by using Cyprus as a shield, illustrating how practical wisdom aligns with survival.
-
Acts 27:7
When we had sailed slowly many days, and had come with difficulty opposite Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed under the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone.
Here the maneuver is repeated off Crete after struggling against the wind at Cnidus, highlighting persistence in seeking safety when progress stalls.