Brief Overview of πλοῖον (Strong’s G4143: ploion)

Strong’s G4143: A noun meaning “ship” or “boat,” particularly vessels used for fishing or transport. From πλέω (to sail). In ancient Mediterranean culture, it described various sailing vessels. In New Testament usage, it frequently appears in Gospel narratives and Acts, often as settings for significant ministry events.

U- Unveiling the Word

πλοῖον represents more than just a means of transportation—it becomes a significant setting for divine encounters and ministry. In the Gospels, these vessels serve as platforms for Jesus’s teaching, miraculous catches of fish, and demonstrations of His power over nature. In Acts, they facilitate the spread of the gospel. Early church fathers saw these boats as symbols of the church navigating through the world. Today, it reminds us how God uses ordinary means for extraordinary purposes in building His kingdom.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πλοῖον, ploion, /PLOY-on/
• Detailed pronunciation: PLOY-on (emphasis on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: πλο- (plo-) meaning “to float/sail”
• Suffix: -ιον (-ion) nominal ending
• Related to πλέω (pleō), “to sail”

D – Defining Meanings

• Ship
• Boat
• Sailing vessel

For compound words: Not a compound word, but serves as root for diminutive forms

Translation Options:

• Ship – General maritime vessel
• Boat – Particularly fishing vessels
• Vessel – More formal usage

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ναῦς (naus) /nows/ – ship, more formal term
  See G3491
• πλοιάριον (ploiarion) /ploy-AR-ee-on/ – small boat
  See G4142

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: Second

Examples:
Nominative/Accusative: πλοῖον
Genitive: πλοίου
Dative: πλοίῳ
Plural: πλοῖα

• Cross-references to verb πλέω and related terms

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its range of sizes and uses. Thayer’s notes its frequency in Gospel narratives. LSJ documents extensive maritime usage. Vine’s highlights its significance in Jesus’s ministry. Strong’s connects it to seafaring. LEH provides Septuagint usage in maritime contexts. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from shipping documents.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.” Matthew 4:21

Additional References:
Matthew 8:23, Matthew 14:22, Mark 4:37, Luke 5:3, John 6:19, Acts 20:13, Acts 27:2

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

πλοῖον reminds us how Jesus used ordinary vessels for extraordinary purposes. From calling disciples to calming storms, these boats became settings for divine revelation. Like these vessels, when we make ourselves available to God, He can use us to carry His message and demonstrate His power.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term appears more frequently in the Gospels than any other biblical books.
2. Archaeological discoveries have revealed exact sizes of Galilean fishing vessels.
3. Early Christian art often used the ship as a symbol of the church.

Strong’s G4143: A noun denoting ships or boats, particularly significant in Gospel narratives as settings for Jesus’s ministry and later in Acts for missionary journeys. These vessels served both practical purposes and became symbols of divine activity.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: ships, boats, maritime, Gospel narratives, Jesus’s ministry, Sea of Galilee, biblical Greek, fishing, transportation, missions, Acts, discipleship​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​