Paragraph 28:7–10
28:7a
Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius: This clause in Greek is literally “in the areas around that place were lands (belonging) to the man named Publius.” Publius owned some of the land surrounding the beach to which the people on the ship swam. Other ways to translate this clause are:
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the…man…named Publius (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
A man named Publius…had property around the area. (God’s Word)
the chief official of the island: This phrase in Greek is literally “the first (one) of the island.” It probably refers to Publius as the highest official of the island. He was probably also one of the wealthiest people on the island. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
the leading man of the island (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
the governor of the island (God’s Word)
28:7b
welcomed: This Greek word refers to greeting someone and accepting them (rather than rejecting them).
us: This pronoun could refer to:
(1) All 276 people from the shipwreck.
(2) Julius and the other soldiers, Paul and the other prisoners, Aristarchus, and Luke.
Since Publius was probably wealthy, he could provide food for all 276 people for three days. But (2) is also possible, as are other lists of people from the ship. Translate in a general way that allows either (1) or (2).
entertained us: Here the word entertained refers to taking care of someone as a guest. He fed them, provided places to sleep, and probably spent time talking with them. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
we were his guests (Good News Translation)
-or-
welcomed us into his home (Contemporary English Version)
hospitably: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hospitably refers to doing something in a friendly manner. Other ways to translate this word are:
kindly (Good News Translation)
-or-
was very friendly (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
was very good to us (New Century Version)
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