Strong’s Greek 5284, ὑποπλέω (hupopleō), is a seafaring verb describing the action of navigating a vessel “under the lee” of an island or coastline, taking shelter from contrary winds by keeping land between the ship and the prevailing weather. In antiquity a captain would steer close to the protected side of landforms such as Cyprus or Crete to moderate wind and wave exposure, conserving both time and safety for crew and cargo.

Occurrences in Scripture

The verb appears twice, both in Luke’s detailed narrative of Paul’s voyage to Rome:
• Acts 27:4 – “From there we put out to sea and sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.”
• Acts 27:7 – “Moving slowly for many days and having difficulty in arriving off Cnidus, because the wind would not allow us to proceed, we sailed under the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone.”

Historical Setting of Acts 27

Acts 27 records an autumn voyage (likely A.D. 59–60) at the close of the safe Mediterranean navigation season. Paul, under military escort, was being transferred from Caesarea to appear before Caesar. Luke, an eyewitness, offers the most detailed first-century account of ancient seamanship in extant literature. The two uses of ὑποπλέω mark strategic nautical decisions by the captain and the Alexandrian ship’s pilot: first to skirt Cyprus, then to hug the northern coast of Crete. Each maneuver illustrates real-world navigation while reinforcing Luke’s credibility as a historian.

Connections to Paul’s Apostolic Ministry

1. Confirmation of Providence. Though winds were “against” the travelers (Acts 27:4), Paul’s mission to bear witness in Rome (Acts 23:11) could not be thwarted. The sheltered sailing under Cyprus and Crete displays God’s hidden hand guiding human decisions.
2. Opportunity for Testimony. The same voyage that forced the ship’s crew into prudent seamanship positioned Paul to give prophetic counsel (Acts 27:10, 21–26) and ultimately to proclaim the gospel on Malta (Acts 28:1–10).
3. Foreshadowing of Suffering and Deliverance. Just as Paul advised prudent shelter, believers are urged to heed the Word, finding safety under God’s covering when storms arise.

Spiritual Themes and Lessons

Sheltering under a coast parallels seeking refuge in the Lord. Psalm 91:1 speaks of dwelling “in the shelter of the Most High,” an image mirrored by the captain’s choice to sail “under the lee” of islands. The action reminds the Church that divine wisdom often operates through ordinary, even technical, decisions.

Theological Reflections

• Sovereignty and Means. God ordains ends (Paul’s arrival in Rome) and also the means (the choice to hupopleō). Scripture harmonizes divine control with responsible human action.
• Reliability of Scripture. Luke’s precise nautical vocabulary—and its corroboration by maritime historians—strengthens confidence in Scriptural inerrancy.
• Mission in Adversity. Headwinds never nullify the advance of the gospel; they merely redirect its route.

Practical Application for the Church

1. Strategic Planning. Like ancient mariners, churches should employ wise strategy when facing cultural headwinds, using every lawful shelter while holding course toward gospel goals.
2. Listening to Godly Counsel. The crew ultimately benefited from Paul’s God-given insight; modern believers likewise prosper when they heed spiritual guidance.
3. Hope in Storms. Acts 27 assures believers that no tempest can override God’s promise: “Not a single hair of your heads will perish.” (Acts 27:34)

Related Passages

• Jonah 1:4–16 – God’s sovereignty over nautical storms.
• Psalm 107:23–30 – The Lord stills the tempest for those who “go down to the sea in ships.”
• 2 Corinthians 11:25 – Paul’s encounters with shipwrecks, underscoring his experiential authority in Acts 27.

Ἱυποπλέω, though a modest technical term, anchors Luke’s narrative in real geography and true seamanship, reminding readers that the same God who governs gusts and currents also pilots the destiny of His people.