ὑποτρέχω (hupotrechō)
hupotrechō
to sail under
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb hupotrechō describes a specific nautical maneuver where a ship runs under the lee of land or another vessel to escape rough weather. Literally meaning "to run under," it combines the prefix for "under" with the verb for "running." In ancient maritime practice, this was a practical survival technique rather than a metaphorical action.
Its sole biblical appearance occurs in Acts 27:16, where Paul and his companions are caught in a storm. The crew sails under the shelter of a small island called Cauda to secure their lifeboat and avoid being driven onto the rocks. This rare word captures the precise physical reality of ancient seafaring, illustrating how the biblical narrative grounds spiritual events in tangible, historical detail.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Paul and his companions faced a violent storm in Acts 27, they used a practical nautical technique called hupotrechō. This rare Greek word describes sailing under the lee of an island to escape rough waves. It was not a metaphor for spiritual hiding, but a real act of survival that kept them safe from being driven onto the rocks.
This detail reminds us that God’s providence often works through ordinary means and human wisdom. Even in chaotic situations, there are ways to find shelter and stability. The narrative shows that faith does not require ignoring practical steps; instead, it trusts God while we take those necessary actions to preserve life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having run under1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑποδραμόντες1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 27:16
Running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat.
This verse is the only biblical occurrence of hupotrechō, describing the crew sailing under the island of Clauda to secure the lifeboat and avoid disaster.