Brief Overview of πλέω (Strong’s G4126: pleō)

Strong’s G4126: A verb meaning “to sail, navigate, or travel by sea.” In ancient Greek maritime culture, it was the primary term for maritime travel. In New Testament usage, it appears in significant narrative contexts, particularly in Luke-Acts, describing missionary journeys and Paul’s voyage to Rome.

U- Unveiling the Word

πλέω represents more than simple maritime travel—it embodies the ancient world’s primary means of long-distance transportation and commerce. In the New Testament, it appears prominently in narratives of missionary activity and divine providence, particularly in Luke’s accounts of Jesus calming the storm and Paul’s journeys. Early church writers saw rich symbolism in sailing narratives, often using them to illustrate faith amid life’s storms and the church’s mission to reach distant shores. Today, it reminds us of both the practical and spiritual aspects of Christian mission.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πλέω, pleō, /PLEH-oh/
• Detailed pronunciation: PLEH-oh (emphasis on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Root: πλε- (ple-) ancient root meaning “to float”
• Related to Proto-Indo-European *plew- “to float, swim”
• Basic verb form without prefix or suffix

D – Defining Meanings

• To sail
• To navigate
• To travel by sea

For compound words: Not a compound word, but serves as root for many nautical terms

Translation Options:

• To sail – Most common biblical usage
• To navigate – Emphasizes directed movement
• To voyage – Captures longer journey aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• διαπλέω (diapleō) /dee-ah-PLEH-oh/ – to sail across
  See G1277
• παραπλέω (parapleō) /par-ah-PLEH-oh/ – to sail past
  See G3881

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verb Features:

• Tense: Present, Imperfect, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Optative, Imperative
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural

Examples:
Present: πλέω (I sail)
Future: πλεύσομαι (I will sail)
Aorist: ἔπλευσα (I sailed)
Perfect: πέπλευκα (I have sailed)

• Cross-references to noun πλοῖον and adjective πλωτός

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in travel narratives. Thayer’s notes its basic meaning of maritime movement. LSJ documents extensive maritime usage. Vine’s highlights its appearance in missionary contexts. Strong’s connects it to seafaring. LEH provides Septuagint usage in commercial contexts. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from shipping documents.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“But as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger.” Luke 8:23

Additional References:
Acts 21:3, Acts 27:2, Acts 27:6, Acts 27:24

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

πλέω reminds us that the gospel often travels across waters to reach new shores. From Jesus calming the storm to Paul’s missionary journeys, maritime travel served God’s purposes in spreading His kingdom. This word encourages us that even in life’s storms, Christ remains sovereign over our journey.

D – Did You Know?

1. Ancient Mediterranean sailing was typically limited to March through November.
2. Early Christian symbols often incorporated sailing imagery.
3. The term influenced modern nautical vocabulary through Latin translations.

Strong’s G4126: A verb describing maritime travel, particularly significant in New Testament narrative contexts of missionary journeys and divine providence. Central to understanding the practical means by which the gospel spread throughout the Mediterranean world.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: sailing, navigation, sea travel, missions, Acts, Luke, Paul’s journeys, storms, maritime, biblical Greek, travel narratives, providence​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​