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Rower; Rowing

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Rower; Rowing in the Bible?

Rowing refers to the propulsion of watercraft using oars, a fundamental maritime technology in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean regions. A rower is an individual who performs this physical labor, often serving as a crew member on merchant vessels, warships, or fishing boats.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the mechanics of rowing illuminates the human effort behind biblical maritime events. It provides context for scenes such as the disciples struggling against the wind on the Sea of Galilee, highlighting the physical exhaustion and reliance on divine intervention when human strength alone was insufficient to control the vessel.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Rower; Rowing. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Rower; Rowing in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Rower; Rowing clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Rower; Rowing." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/rower-rowing/
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