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Read Acts 27:14. To which type of wind is Luke referring, and how does it play a role in this story?
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The wind described in this story is coming from the Mediterranean Sea and is in the form of a storm called a medicane. The text of the Scripture calls it a Noreaster, and is a wind that came across the island. It is of typhoon strength. It plays a major role in this story because it is what eventually causes the ship and those aboard to shipwreck on the island of Malta, south of Italy.
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It is called a northeaster hurricane, and is likely to be the frontal wind described as a medicane in this course. This wind occurs as a result of the pressure difference between high-pressure areas and low-pressure areas. It is very violent and can cause property damage. Because of it, shipping usually closes in this season. Perhaps owing to pressure to deliver the prisoner Paul to Rome, the centurion insisted on getting a ship to sail to Italy (Acts 27:6), but the wind made it difficult for them to proceed far (verses 7-8). They should have taken refuge at Fair Havens, but the centurion and captain did not listen to Paul’s advice. They put out to sea and encountered shipwreck (verses 9-11).
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It was probably the frontal winds during winter called them Medicane, Mediterranean hurricane. It’s strong and can cause ships to be trapped in a storm.
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It seems like the Mediterranean hurricane mentioned by the lesson.
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By comparing the description of Promised Land winds given in the lesson, and the details of the account in Acts 27, I believe the frontal winds of winter were what Luke was referring to. We are told in 27:12 that it was winter. The frontal winds were very strong winds that occurred during the winter. Luke describes the strength of the winds and the violence of the storm in such a way that I believe Paul and his companions could have experienced a “Medicane,” that is a Mediterranean hurricane. This type of storm formed when the frontal winds of winter were extremely strong and violent.
