"a rudder, Acts 27:40; Jas. 3:4*"
Definition and meaning
a rudder, Acts 27:40; Jas. 3:4*
In the original Greek the word is written: πηδάλιον
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of pedalion (G4079) across the King James Bible.
And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
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Common questions
Strong's G4079 (pedalion) is a Greek word that means: a rudder, Acts 27:40; Jas. 3:4* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word pedalion (G4079) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4079 is pedalion, a Greek word defined as: a rudder, Acts 27:40; Jas. 3:4*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pedalion is a Greek word found in the New Testament.