What Does Acts 27:28 Mean in the King James?
And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The second sounding reveals what the smooth surface hides: the bottom is rising toward the ship.
THE MEANING
A surface can look unchanged while the unseen ground draws nearer. The readings fall from twenty fathoms to fifteen after only a little further travel, making the shift below them clear. Here, another measurement turns approach into something they can know.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
An unchanged surface does not mean nothing beneath it is changing.
THE ROOT
βολίσαντες
bolisantes
GROWS FROM
βολ- (bol-, related to βάλλω, ballō)
Cast or throw; here, cast a weighted lead to test the depth.
“sounded” in this verse is bolisantes. The Greek verb βολίζω (bolizō), “sound by casting a lead,” makes the sounding an action: something is sent down to disclose what the surface conceals. The second cast registers a five-fathom change, turning hidden approach into visible evidence.
ALSO GROWS
bolis: A plummet or sounding lead
βολίς
The weighted object cast into the water gives the ship a way to find the unseen bottom.
ballō: Cast, throw
βάλλω
This related casting word opens a link to other moments where what is cast into water reveals what lies there.
THE PATTERN
A measure makes hidden extent or changing conditions visible.
And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.THE THREAD
And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.The Greek word βολίζω (bolizō), “sound by casting a lead,” belongs to the casting family of βάλλω (ballō), “cast.” In Acts, a cast weight reveals the depth; here, a cast net reveals what the water holds.
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