Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

ACTS 27:17KJV
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Acts 27:17 (KJV)

What does Acts 27:17 mean?

Acts 27:17 describes how the sailors took emergency measures to keep their ship from breaking apart during a violent storm, using cables to reinforce the hull and lowering the sail out of fear that they might run aground on dangerous sandbanks. The verse shows the crew’s practical actions and their anxiety about being driven into the quicksands.

Paul is a prisoner on a ship headed for Rome, and the vessel is caught in a severe storm in the Mediterranean Sea. The sailors, fearing the ship would be wrecked on the Syrtis Sands (a notorious area of shallow sandbanks off North Africa), use ropes to undergird the ship and reduce sail to slow their drift. This verse highlights the desperate situation and the crew’s efforts to avoid disaster.

The Greek behind Acts 27:17

  • “Helps” (βοήθεια, boētheia): This word refers to the cables or ropes used as emergency supports. In this context, it means the crew used strong ropes to brace the ship’s hull, a common ancient practice in storms.
  • “Undergirding” (ὑποζωννύω, hypozōnnyō): This term means to bind or gird underneath. The sailors literally passed ropes under the ship to hold the planks together, showing how serious the danger was.
  • “Quicksands” (σῦρτις, syrtis): This refers to the Syrtis, a region of treacherous sandbanks off the coast of Libya. Mentioning this place shows the sailors’ real fear of being shipwrecked in a well-known maritime hazard.

Why Acts 27:17 matters

  • Acts 27:17 gives a vivid, historical detail that shows Luke’s knowledge of ancient sailing and the real dangers faced by Paul and the crew.
  • The verse helps readers understand the severity of the storm and the practical steps sailors took, grounding the story in real-world experience rather than legend or exaggeration.
  • This detail connects to the larger narrative, showing how God’s purposes for Paul’s journey to Rome unfold amid very real human fears and challenges.

Where else these words appear

“helps” Greek G996 · used in 2 verses

  • Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

“strake” Greek G5465 · used in 7 verses

  • Mark 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
  • Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
  • Acts 27:30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

“used” Greek G5530 · used in 11 verses

  • Acts 27:3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
  • 1 Corinthians 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

“fall” Greek G1601 · used in 13 verses

  • Mark 13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
  • Acts 27:32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
  • James 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.