James 3:4
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.
James 3:4 in other translations
| BSB | Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. |
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| WEB | Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. |
| ASV | Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth. |
| YLT | lo, also the ships, being so great, and by fierce winds being driven, are led about by a very small helm, whithersoever the impulse of the helmsman doth counsel, |
| DARBY | Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will. |
| BBE | And again ships, though they are so great and are moved by violent winds, are turned by a very small guiding-blade, at the impulse of the man who is using it. |
| Webster | Behold also the ships, which though they are so great, and are driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor willeth. |
What does James 3:4 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Which though they be so great. So great in themselves, and in comparison with the rudder. Even such. bulky and unwieldy objects are controlled by a very small thing.
And are driven of fierce winds. By winds that would seem to leave the ship beyond control. It is probable that by the "fierce winds" here as impelling the ship, the apostle meant to illustrate the power of the passions in impelling man. Even a man under impetuous passion would be restrained, if the tongue is properly controlled, as the ship driven by the winds is by the helm.
Yet are they turned about with a very small helm. The ancient rudder or helm was made in the shape of an oar. This was very small when compared with the size of the vessels about as small as the tongue is as compared with the body.
Whithersoever the governor listeth. As the helmsman pleases. It is entirely under his control.
(+) "governor listeth" or, "Pilot chooseth"
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on James 3:1-12
Chapter Outline Cautions against proud behaviour, and the mischief of an unruly tongue. (1-12) The excellence of heavenly wisdom, in opposition to that which is worldly. (13-18) Verses 1-12 We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords…
James 3:4 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for James 3:4
- Matthew 8:24
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
- Psalms 107:25-27
For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
- Acts 27:14-38
But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. …
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ps 107:25-27; Jon 1:4; Mt 8:24; Ac 27:14-38
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- James 3:3
Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
- James 3:4
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.
- James 3:5
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
James 3:4 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Mirad también las naves: aunque tan grandes, y llevadas de impetuosos vientos, son gobernadas con un muy pequeño timón por donde quisiere el que las gobierna. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Voici, les navires aussi, qui sont si grands et qui sont poussés par des vents violents, sont dirigés çà et là par un très petit gouvernail, où que ce soit que le veuille l’impulsion de celui qui les gouverne. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Siehe, auch die Schiffe, die so groß sind, und von heftigen Winden getrieben werden, werden durch ein sehr kleines Steuerruder gelenkt, wohin irgend der Trieb des Steuermanns will. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Ecce et naves, cum magnæ sint, et a ventis validis minentur, circumferuntur a modico gubernaculo ubi impetus dirigentis voluerit. |