And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
My Notes
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Gill's Exposition
Then fearing lest they should have fallen upon rocks,.... Or rough places, as shelves, rocks, or sands, as they might well fear, when the water shallowed so fast, from 20 to 15 fathoms:
they cast…
Barnes' Notes
And sounded - To sound is to make use of a line and lead to ascertain the depth of water. Twenty fathoms - A fathom is six feet, or the distance from the extremity of the middle finger on one hand to…
Adam Clarke
And sounded - Βολισαντες, Heaving the lead.
Twenty fathoms - Οργυιας εικοσι, About forty yards in depth. The οργυια is thus defined by the Etymologicon: Σημαινει την εκτασιν των χειρων, συν τῳ πλατει…
We have here the issue of the distress of Paul and his fellow-travellers; they escaped with their lives and that was all, and that was for Paul's sake. We are here told (Act 27:37) what number there…
Cambridge Bible
and sounded In ancient times, this must have been the only means of feeling their way in dark and stormy weather. The lead must have been in constant use.
found it twenty fathoms The original has no…