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πρῶρα

prōra

G4408 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The forward part (prow) of a ship or vessel; specifically, the section at the front of the hull that faces forward, often distinguished from the stern. Broader usage can denote the bow in nautical contexts, as opposed to the rear or stern section. In literature and technical usage, can refer generally to the front of any seafaring vessel.

Semantic Range

prow, bow, forward part of a ship, forepart (of a ship)

Root / Etymology

From πρό ('before, forward') with a feminine nominal ending; likely formed on analogy with words for specific parts of ships. No direct evidence of an independent intermediate stem; the term reflects standard Greek word formation indicating place or part.

Historical & Contextual Notes

πρῶρα appears in Koine Greek primarily in nautical descriptions. Rare in earlier classical texts, but attested in Hellenistic and Roman-period technical literature. In the New Testament (Acts 27:30, 41), the term is strictly used in the context of the front or bow of a ship during a storm narrative. The term does not carry metaphorical or theological nuance. In English, usually rendered as 'prow' or 'forepart', but note that 'forepart' may not be specific enough in some translations. In contrast to πρῷρα, πρύμνα specifically denotes the stern (rear) of a ship. The word does not appear in LXX; it is more common in post-classical and technical Greek dealing with naval matters. Usage aligns with standard Hellenistic technical vocabulary for ship parts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of a presumed derivative of πρό as noun; the prow, i.e. forward part of a vessel:--forepart(-ship).

Root Family

πρῶρα (prōra) — prow, bow, forward part of a ship

Root πρῶρ- forward part, prow, bow (of a vessel)

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4408-02 πρῴρης prores N GEN F SG bow's of the prow of the bow 1
G4408-01 πρῷρα prora N NOM F SG forepart prow prow 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4408-02 Acts 27:30 πρῴρης prores N GEN F SG bow's of the prow of the bow
G4408-01 Acts 27:41 πρῷρα prora N NOM F SG forepart prow prow
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