ἱκανοῦ δὲ χρόνου διαγενομένου, now when much time had been spent, i.e. waiting for a change of wind, and in debating what course should next be taken.

καὶ ὄντος ἤδη ἐπισφαλοῦς τοῦ πλοός, and when the voyage was now dangerous. It had come to be dangerous by the late season of the year. In St Paul’s day navigation, both among the Jews and other nations, could only be attempted for a limited portion of the year, when the weather permitted the stars to be seen.

διὰ τὸ καὶ τὴν νηστείαν ἤδη παρεληλυθέναι, because the fast was now already past. The fast here meant is that on the great Day of Atonement. This is the Fast par excellence of the Jews, being the only one definitely appointed in the Old Testament. It falls on the tenth day of Tishri, the seventh month of the Jewish year. This corresponds to a part of September and October of our calendar; so that a stormy season was to be expected.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament