βολίζω G1001
to heave the lead, to take soundings, to measure water depth with a weighted line
This specialized nautical verb means to take soundings by heaving the lead—dropping a weighted line to measure water depth. Ancient sailors used this technique when approaching shore or navigating dangerous waters to avoid running aground. Both New Testament occurrences appear in the same dramatic scene: Paul's shipwreck voyage to Rome. As the ship drifts toward the rocky coast of Malta in darkness, the sailors repeatedly take soundings to monitor their approach to land. The verb captures a crucial maritime survival skill, showing how sailors combined technical knowledge with desperate hope during the storm described in Acts 27.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Acts 27:28 twice uses the aorist active participle 'having taken soundings' to describe the sailors' repeated depth measurements as they drifted toward Malta's coast. First they found twenty fathoms, then after a little while fifteen fathoms—showing their dangerous approach to shore in darkness. The technical precision of the account (exact depth measurements) adds authenticity to Luke's narrative. Spanish 'habiendo sondeado', French 'sonder', and German 'βολίσαντες' all maintain this nautical technical meaning. The repetition in the same verse emphasizes the anxiety of that night: each sounding brought them closer to potential shipwreck, driving their decision to drop anchors and wait for daylight. 2×
AR["لَمَّا-سَبَرُوا-الغَوْرَ"]·ben["থাল-ফেলিয়া"]·DE["βολίσαντες"]·EN["having-taken-soundings"]·FR["sonder"]·heb["מָדְדוּ-עֹמֶק"]·HI["थाहलेकर"]·ID["mengukur,"]·IT["scandagliare"]·jav["duga,"]·KO["측량하고"]·PT["tendo-lançado-sonda,"]·RU["бросив-лот"]·ES["habiendo-sondeado"]·SW["wakipima-kina"]·TR["iskandil-atıp"]·urd["تھاہ-لے-کر"]
Related Senses
H4941 1. justice, righteousness (134×)H4941 2. judgment, judicial decision (119×)H4941 3. ordinances, statutes (plural) (110×)H8199 1. to judge, adjudicate (98×)G2919 1. judge, pass judgment (76×)H8199 2. judge (person, office-holder) (61×)G2920 1. judgment / condemnation (48×)H7378 1. Qal: quarrel, contend, strive (42×)H4941 4. prescribed ordinance, regulation (34×)G1832 1. it is lawful, it is permitted (32×)G2917 1. judgment, condemnation (27×)G2919 2. be judged, stand trial (27×)H5360 1. vengeance, retribution (27×)H7378 2. Qal: plead, defend, litigate (22×)G2723 1. accuse, bring charges against (20×)G2923 1. judge (one who judges/decides) (19×)G2632 1. condemn, pass judgment against (18×)H1777 1. judge, adjudicate (18×)H1576 1. recompense, retribution (17×)H5359 1. vengeance, retribution (17×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
βολίζω, (βολίς) heave the lead, take soundings, NT:—passive, sink in water, Refs