27:14a
But it was not long before: There is possible contrast here to the hopeful beginning to the sailing from Fair Havens with the change of winds. This is why the Berean Standard Bible and many English versions translate the Greek conjunction which occurs in 27:14a as But. For example:
But before very long (New American Standard Bible)
it was not long before: This phrase in Greek is literally “after not much.” Here it refers to a short time after they began sailing. For example:
soon (Revised Standard Version)
a cyclone: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a cyclone refers to a wind that blows very hard. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
a violent wind (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
a wind of typhoon strength (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
a powerful wind (God’s Word)
-or-
a terrific gale (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
27:14b
called the Northeaster:
The wind was from the northeast. So they named the wind Northeaster. People feared this wind because it often blew ships off course or made big waves that damaged them. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
called “the northeast wind”
-or-
⌊fearfully⌋ called the “Northeaster”
-or-
which ⌊people⌋ called the Northeast Wind
Some languages have names for winds coming from certain directions. If your language has a name for a wind coming from the northeast, you may want to use it here.
swept down: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as swept refers here to moving quickly. This wind blew hard from the mountainous island of Crete down to the sea. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
blew down (Good News Translation)
-or-
burst on them (New Jerusalem Bible)
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