BOAT (πλοιάριον, G4449, little boat, KJV “small ship,” Mark 3:9; KJV “little ship” [Mark 4:36] John 21:8; πλοῖον, G4450, boat or ship, KJV “ship,” and alternately RSV “ship”; σκάφη, G5002, skiff, rowboat; עֲבָרָה, H6302, ford, KJV “ferry boat,” 2 Sam 19:18). A craft for navigating the water, small enough to haul ashore or on board ship.

The boats employed on the Sea of Galilee were used primarily for fishing (Matt 4:21 RSV), but also for travel and trading between towns on the lake (John 6:17-24). Big enough to hold ten or twelve persons, they were propelled by sail (Luke 8:23) or oar (John 6:19), and were in danger of being swamped by the sudden squalls that can suddenly whip up the waters (Mark 4:37). Σκάφη (Acts 27:16, 30, 32) is the ship’s lifeboat which in good weather was towed behind. See Ships.