Paragraph 27:9–12
27:9a
By now much time had passed: There are two ways interpret this clause:
(1) It refers to the whole voyage so far. The trip so far had taken many more days than they had hoped. For example:
A great deal of time had been lost (New Jerusalem Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, English Standard Version)
(2) It refer to much time spent at Fair Havens. For example:
We spent a long time there (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the rest of 27:9 refers generally to the voyage.
They had moved very slowly toward Italy, so it was probably a month or two after they started in Caesarea instead of a week or two with good winds. Other ways to translate this clause are:
Since much time had passed, (English Standard Version)
-or-
We had lost a lot of time. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
It took many days ⌊to arrive there⌋.
27:9b
the voyage had already become dangerous: In this part of the world, sailing during this time of the year (October or November) was dangerous because often a storm would come and make strong winds and big waves that could destroy ships. Other ways to translate this clause are:
The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
sailing was no longer safe (Contemporary English Version)
27:9c
it was after the Fast: This clause in Greek is literally “even/also the Fast had already passed.” This clause indicates that the Fast had occurred earlier. This fact is added to 27:9a, which emphasizes that much time had gone by. Other ways to translate this clause are:
even the Fast was already over (English Standard Version)
-or-
even the Great Day of Forgiveness was past (Contemporary English Version)
the Fast: This refers to the Jewish Day of Atonement (reconciling with God). They call it Yom Kippur. It was a day of fasting, prayer, and worship. It was and is one of the most important holy days for the Jews. It occurs in late September or early October. In many languages people will not be familiar with what the Fast refers to. If so, you may want to:
• Explain it in your translation. For example:
the ⌊Jewish⌋ ⌊Holy⌋ ⌊Day of⌋ Fasting
• Describe the purpose of the Fast. For example:
the Day of Atonement (Good News Translation)
-or-
the Great Day of Forgiveness (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the Day of Cleansing (New Century Version)
You may then want to explain the literal words. For example:
Literally “the Fast.” This refers to the Jewish holy Day of Reconciling with God.
• Translate literally and explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:
This refers to the Jewish holy Day of Reconciling with God. They call it Yom Kippur. It was a day of fasting, prayer, and worship. It was and is one of the most important holy days for the Jews.
27:9d
So: The Berean Standard Bible and many English versions add the conjunction So. It is the implied connection in the Greek.
Paul advised them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as advised refers to recommending or urging something. For example:
Paul warned them: (New International Version)
them: This verse does not say what group of people this refers to. The group could be:
(1) all the people on the ship,
(2) all the sailors and the pilot and the owner of the ship,
(3) all the leaders: the pilot, the ship owner, the centurion, possibly others not named.
If possible, do not say which group. But in some languages the group must be mentioned. It is probably the same group of which the majority voted to sail (27:12b). If so, follow interpretation (1). For example:
the people
The centurion heard this advice (27:11) either directly from Paul or indirectly through others.
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