An anchor is a device typically made of metal, used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current. In biblical times, anchors were essential for maritime navigation and safety, symbolizing stability and hope.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 27:29-30, 40 · The most direct mention of anchors in the Bible occurs in the account of Paul's voyage to Rome. During a storm, the sailors "dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daybreak" (Acts 27:29). This passage highlights the practical use of anchors in ancient seafaring, serving as a tool to stabilize the ship amidst a tempest. Later, the sailors cut loose the anchors to run the ship aground, demonstrating the critical role anchors played in navigation and safety.

2. Hebrews 6:19 · The anchor is used metaphorically to describe the hope believers have in Christ: "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and steadfast. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain" . Here, the anchor symbolizes the security and steadfastness of the believer's hope in God's promises, which are unwavering and reliable. This metaphor emphasizes the assurance and stability found in faith, likening it to the anchor's role in providing stability to a ship.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical symbolism, the anchor represents hope, steadfastness, and security. It is a powerful image of the believer's trust in God's promises and the assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ. The anchor's function of holding a ship steady amidst turbulent waters parallels the spiritual stability and peace that faith provides in the midst of life's trials and uncertainties.

The use of the anchor as a symbol of hope is particularly poignant in the context of the early Christian community, which often faced persecution and hardship. The imagery of the anchor would have resonated deeply with believers, offering a visual reminder of the steadfast hope they possess in Christ, who is unchanging and eternal.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient world, anchors were typically made of stone, wood, or metal, with designs varying based on the materials available and the specific needs of the vessel. The use of anchors was crucial for the safety of ships, especially in the unpredictable conditions of the Mediterranean Sea, where much of the biblical narrative unfolds.

The anchor's significance extends beyond its practical use, as it became an early Christian symbol. In the catacombs of Rome, anchors are found etched alongside other Christian symbols, signifying hope and the promise of eternal life. This reflects the early Christians' understanding of their faith as a secure and steadfast anchor amidst the challenges of life.

Theological Implications:

Theologically, the anchor as a symbol of hope underscores the Christian belief in the reliability of God's promises. It serves as a reminder that, despite the storms of life, believers have a secure foundation in Christ. This hope is not based on human effort or circumstances but is anchored in the unchanging nature of God and His covenant with His people.

The metaphor of the anchor in Hebrews 6:19 also points to the believer's access to God's presence, "behind the curtain," through Jesus Christ. This access provides a firm and secure hope, rooted in the finished work of Christ, who intercedes on behalf of believers.

In summary, the anchor in biblical literature serves as both a practical tool and a profound symbol of hope and stability, reflecting the enduring nature of faith in God's promises.Anchor

(Acts 27:29)

From Acts 27:29, 30, 40, it would appear that the Roman vessels carried several anchors, which were attached to the stern as well as to the prow. The Roman anchor, like the modern one, had two teeth or flukes. In Hebrews 6:19 the word is used metaphorically for that which supports or keeps one steadfast in the time of trial or of doubt. It is an emblem of hope.

"If you fear, Put all your trust in God: that anchor holds."

1. (n.) A iron instrument which is attached to a ship by a cable (rope or chain), and which, being cast overboard, lays hold of the earth by a fluke or hook and thus retains the ship in a particular station.

2. (n.) Any instrument or contrivance serving a purpose like that of a ship's anchor, as an arrangement of timber to hold a dam fast; a contrivance to hold the end of a bridge cable, or other similar part; a contrivance used by founders to hold the core of a mold in place.

3. (n.) Fig.: That which gives stability or security; that on which we place dependence for safety.

4. (n.) An emblem of hope.

5. (n.) A metal tie holding adjoining parts of a building together.

6. (n.) Carved work, somewhat resembling an anchor or arrowhead; -- a part of the ornaments of certain moldings. It is seen in the echinus, or egg-and-anchor (called also egg-and-dart, egg-and-tongue) ornament.

7. (n.) One of the anchor-shaped spicules of certain sponges; also, one of the calcareous spinules of certain Holothurians, as in species of Synapta.

8. (v. t.) To place at anchor; to secure by an anchor; as, to anchor a ship.

9. (v. t.) To fix or fasten; to fix in a stable condition; as, to anchor the cables of a suspension bridge.

10. (v. i.) To cast anchor; to come to anchor; as, our ship (or the captain) anchored in the stream.

11. (v. i.) To stop; to fix or rest.

12. (n.) An anchoret.

ANCHOR

an'-ker. See SHIPS AND BOATS.

45. agkura -- an anchor
... an anchor. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: agkura Phonetic Spelling:
(ang'-koo-rah) Short Definition: an anchor Definition: an anchor. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/45.htm - 6k

4358. prosormizo -- to bring (a ship) to anchor at
... to bring (a ship) to anchor at. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prosormizo
Phonetic Spelling: (pros-or-mid'-zo) Short Definition: I anchor at a place ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4358.htm - 6k

142. airo -- to raise, take up, lift
... away (5), take...away (4), taken (3), taken...away (1), taken away (12), takes away
(7), taking (1), took (2), took...away (1), took away (3), weighed anchor (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/142.htm - 9k

4014. periaireo -- to take away (that which surrounds)
... From peri and haireomai (including its alternate); to remove all around, ie Unveil,
cast off (anchor); figuratively, to expiate -- take away (up). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4014.htm - 7k

4632. skeuos -- a vessel, implement, pl. goods
... goods NASB Word Usage article (2), container (1), goods (1), instrument (1), jar
(1), merchandise (1), object (3), property (2), sea anchor (1), someone (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4632.htm - 6k

1614. ekteino -- to extend
... ekteino Phonetic Spelling: (ek-ti'-no) Short Definition: I stretch out, cast forth
Definition: I stretch out (forth), cast forth (as of an anchor), lay hands on ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1614.htm - 6k

3901. pararreo -- to flow by, hence slip away
... 3901 ("drift away from") only occurs in Heb 2:1 where it refers to going --
"sinning by slipping away" (from God's anchor). 3901 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3901.htm - 7k

The Life of Faith the Anchor of the Soul.
... The Life of Faith The Anchor of the Soul. IV. The Anchor of the Soul. 8,8,6,8,8,
6,8,8,8,8+4,8,8. Herzlich lieb hab ich dich O Herr. [320]Schalling.1594. ...
/.../lyra germanica second series the christian life/the life of faith the 2.htm

One Anchor. October 27.
... One Anchor. October 27. In such a world as this, with such ugly possibilities
hanging over us all, there is but one anchor which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /one anchor october 27.htm

A Believer's Privilege at Death
... Hope is a Christian's anchor, which he casts within the veil. Rejoicing in hope.'
Romans 12:12. ... He is like a ship under sail, and at anchor! ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 a believers privilege at.htm

Rest of the Soul.
... Storms will arise and threaten you; but if the cable of faith remains unbroken and
the anchor of hope unshaken, your little bark can sail on sweetly at rest. ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/rest of the soul.htm

Dionysius the Areopagite and the Alexandrine School.
... Clement writes: "As then, those riding at anchor at sea, drag the anchor, but do
not drag it to themselves, but themselves to the anchor, thus those who are ...
/.../letters of dionysius the areopagite/dionysius the areopagite and the.htm

The Same Subject Continued.
... As, then, those, who at sea are held by an anchor, pull at the anchor, but do not
drag it to them, but drag themselves to the anchor; so those who, according ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxiii the same subject continued.htm

Hebrews vi. 13-16
... [3.] ( Ver.19, 20 ) "Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and ...
But he said not simply "Anchor," but "sure and steadfast" [ie] not shaken. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xi hebrews vi 13-16.htm

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... 'No faith, no hope,' 'to hope without faith is to see without eyes, or expect without
reason.' Faith is the anchor which enters within the vail; Christ in us ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on ...
... Trusting and staying upon God is the soul's casting its anchor upon him in
the midst of the waves and storms of sin, wrath, and trouble. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xii thou shall keep.htm

The Swelling of Jordan
... "Out with the anchor," said the captain, and the command was obeyed, but still she
drifted, and although the anchor was down she crashed against the rocks with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the swelling of jordan.htm

Anchor (4 Occurrences)
... The Roman anchor, like the modern one, had two teeth or flukes. ... It is an emblem of
hope. "If you fear, Put all your trust in God: that anchor holds.". ...
/a/anchor.htm - 9k

Anchored (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Anchor. 2. (a.) Held by an anchor; at anchor; held safely; as,
an anchored bark; also, shaped like an anchor; forked; as, an anchored tongue. ...
/a/anchored.htm - 7k

Drag (19 Occurrences)
... vi) To be drawn along, as a rope or dress, on the ground; to trail; to be moved
onward along the ground, or along the bottom of the sea, as an anchor that does ...
/d/drag.htm - 14k

Cat
... 3. (n.) A strong tackle used to draw an anchor up to the cathead of a ship. ... See below.
7. (vt) To bring to the cathead; as, to cat an anchor. See Anchor. Int. ...
/c/cat.htm - 8k

Warp (9 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To weave; to fabricate. 5. (vt) To tow or move, as a vessel, with a line,
or warp, attached to a buoy, anchor, or other fixed object. ...
/w/warp.htm - 12k

Fish (66 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The flesh of fish, used as food. 7. (n.) A purchase used to fish the anchor. ...
11. (vt) To catch; to draw out or up; as, to fish up an anchor. 12. ...
/f/fish.htm - 38k

Passes (74 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB DBY NAS RSV). Hebrews 6:19 That hope we have as an anchor
of the soul--an anchor that can neither break nor drag. It ...
/p/passes.htm - 28k

Bend (29 Occurrences)
... subdue. 5. (vt) To fasten, as one rope to another, or as a sail to its yard
or stay; or as a cable to the ring of an anchor. 6. (vi ...
/b/bend.htm - 16k

Bite (13 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To take hold of; to hold fast; to adhere to; as, the anchor bites the ground. ...
10. (vi) To take or keep a firm hold; as, the anchor bites. 11. ...
/b/bite.htm - 12k

Ancestry (7 Occurrences)

/a/ancestry.htm - 8k

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