Bible Dictionary
EURAQUILO
The east or northeast wind that drove Paul’s ship toward shipwreck near Malta. The precise form of the sailors’ term is uncertain, but it denotes a violent wind from that direction.
Definition
Euraquilo was the violent east or northeast wind that drove Paul’s ship toward shipwreck at Melita. The word was apparently a sailors’ term for that particular wind.
Biblical Usage
Acts uses the term in describing the storm that overtook Paul’s voyage. The wind carried the ship toward the shipwreck near Malta.
Historical Background
The precise form of the sailors’ expression is uncertain because it was not in general use. “Euraquilo” is explained as a compound of Greek for east wind and Latin for northeast wind, corresponding to navigational experience in those waters.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>u-rak'-wi-lo (the Revised Version (British and American) eurakulon; the King James Version eurokludon; the King James Version Euroclydon, u-rok'-li-don):</p><p>The east or northeast wind which drove Paul's ship to shipwreck at Melita (Ac 27:14). The term seems to have been the sailor's term for that particular wind, and Paul uses the word which was used by them on that occasion. The difference in the text is explained by the fact that the term was not in general use and was therefore subject to being changed. The precise name is doubtful, but "the Euraquilo" is more easily explained as a compound of Greek euros, "east wind," and Latin aquilo, "northeast wind," hence, euraquilo, "east northeast wind." This agrees with the experience of navigators in those waters. For a summary of the various readings see Sanday, Appendices ad New Testament, 140. Full discussion of the circumstances are given in the Lives of Paul by various writers.</p><p>Alfred H. Joy</p>