Acts 11:5

KJV1611 – Modern English

I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ἐγὼ ἤμην ἐν πόλει Ἰόππῃ προσευχόμενος: καὶ εἶδον ἐν ἐκστάσει ὅραμα, Καταβαῖνον σκεῦός τι, ὡς ὀθόνην μεγάλην, τέσσαρσιν ἀρχαῖς καθιεμένην ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ· καὶ ἦλθεν ἄχρι ἐμοῦ:

Transliteration

Egō ēmēn in city Ioppē proseuchomenos: and eidon in ekstasei horama, Katabainon skeuos ti, as othonēn megalēn, by four archais kathiemenēn from the ouranou; and ēlthen achri emou:

Grammar Details

• *Egō ēmēn*: personal pronoun with imperfect active indicative 1st person singular - I was
• *Ioppē*: dative feminine singular - Joppa
• *proseuchomenos*: present middle participle, nominative masculine singular - praying
• *eidon*: aorist active indicative 1st person singular - I saw
• *ekstasei*: dative feminine singular - trance/ecstasy
• *horama*: accusative neuter singular - vision
• *Katabainon*: present active participle, accusative neuter singular - descending
• *skeuos*: accusative neuter singular - vessel/object
• *ti*: indefinite pronoun, accusative neuter singular - certain/some
• *othonēn*: accusative feminine singular - sheet/linen cloth
• *megalēn*: accusative feminine singular - large/great
• *tessarsin*: dative feminine plural - four
• *archais*: dative feminine plural - corners/beginnings
• *kathiemenēn*: present passive participle, accusative feminine singular - being let down
• *ouranou*: genitive masculine singular - heaven
• *ēlthen*: aorist active indicative 3rd person singular - it came
• *achri*: preposition with genitive - until/as far as
• *emou*: genitive of 1st person pronoun - me

Word Meanings

• *proseuchomenos*: praying/while in prayer
• *ekstasei*: trance/ecstasy/state of being outside oneself
• *horama*: vision/sight
• *skeuos*: vessel/utensil/container/object
• *othonēn*: sheet/linen cloth
• *archais*: corners/beginnings/extremities
• *kathiemenēn*: being let down/being lowered
• *achri*: until/as far as/up to

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  'I was in the city of Joppa praying, and I saw in a trance a vision: something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  I{G1473} was{G2252} in{G1722} the city{G4172} of Joppa{G2445} praying:{G4336} and{G2532} in{G1722} a trance{G1611} I saw{G1492} a vision,{G3705} a certain{G5100} vessel{G4632} descending,{G2597} as it were{G5613} a great{G3173} sheet{G3607} let down{G2524} from{G1537} heaven{G3772} by four{G5064} corners;{G746} and{G2532} it came{G2064} even unto{G891} me:{G1700}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  I{G1473} was{G2252}{(G5713)} in{G1722} the city{G4172} of Joppa{G2445} praying{G4336}{(G5740)}: and{G2532} in{G1722} a trance{G1611} I saw{G1492}{(G5627)} a vision{G3705}, A certain{G5100} vessel{G4632} descend{G2597}{(G5723)}, as it had been{G5613} a great{G3173} sheet{G3607}, let down{G2524}{(G5746)} from{G1537} heaven{G3772} by four{G5064} corners{G746}; and{G2532} it came{G2064}{(G5627)} even{G891} to me{G1700}:

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  I was in the cyte of Ioppa prayinge and in a traunce I sawe a vision a certen vessell descende as it had bene a large lynnyn clothe let doune from hevin by the fower corners and it cam to me.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  I was in ye cite of Ioppa prayege, and in a traunce I sawe a vision, a vessell commynge downe, as it had bene a greate lynnen clothe with foure corners, and let downe from heauen, and came vnto me.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  I was in the citie of Ioppa, praying, and in a trance I sawe this vision, A certaine vessell comming downe as it had bene a great sheete, let downe from heauen by the foure corners, and it came to me.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  I was in the citie of Ioppa praying, and in a traunce I sawe a vision, a certayne vessell descende, as it had ben a great sheete, let downe from heauen by the foure corners, and it came to me.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  `I was in the city of Joppa praying, and I saw in a trance a vision, a certain vessel coming down, as a great sheet by four corners being let down out of the heaven, and it came unto me;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:

• American Standard Version (1901)

  I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  I was in the town of Joppa, at prayer: and falling into a deep sleep, I saw in a vision a vessel like a great cloth let down from heaven, and it came down to me:

• World English Bible (2000)

  "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, an object something like a large sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came to me.

Referenced Verses

• Acts 10:9-9 : 9 On the next day, as they went on their journey and neared the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and wanted to eat: but while they prepared, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending to him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 In which were all kinds of four-footed beasts of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spoke to him again the second time, What God has cleansed, do not call common. 16 This was done three times: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had inquired for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 18 And called, and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was staying there. 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men seek you. 20 Arise therefore, and go down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21 Then Peter went down to the men who were sent to him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom you seek: what is the reason why you have come? 22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one who fears God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned by a holy angel to send for you to his house, and to hear words from you. 23 Then he invited them in, and lodged them. And on the next day Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And the day after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his relatives and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many who had come together. 28 And he said to them, You know that it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to keep company with or come to one of another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what reason you have sent for me? 30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 And said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call here Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is staying in the house of one Simon a tanner by the seaside: when he comes, he will speak to you.
• Acts 11:5-9 : 5 I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. 6 Upon which when I had fixed my eyes, I considered and saw four-footed animals of the earth, and wild beasts, and crawling creatures, and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, Arise, Peter; kill and eat. 8 But I said, Not so, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth. 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God has cleansed, do not call common. 10 And this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 And immediately there were three men already come to the house where I was, sent from Caesarea to me. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover, these six brothers accompanied me, and we entered the man's house: 13 And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said to him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell you words, whereby you and all your house shall be saved.
• Acts 22:17 : 17 And it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance,
• 2 Cor 12:1-3 : 1 It is not profitable for me, doubtless, to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ over fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I cannot tell, or whether out of the body, I cannot tell; God knows) who was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell; God knows)
• Jer 1:11-14 : 11 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Jeremiah, what do you see? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. 12 Then the LORD said to me, You have seen well: for I will hasten My word to perform it. 13 And the word of the LORD came to me the second time, saying, What do you see? And I said, I see a boiling pot; and its face is toward the north. 14 Then the LORD said to me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
• Ezek 2:9 : 9 And when I looked, behold, a hand was sent to me; and, look, a scroll of a book was in it;
• Amos 7:4-7 : 4 Thus the Lord GOD showed to me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and consumed a part. 5 Then I said, O Lord GOD, cease, I beg you: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. 6 The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, says the Lord GOD. 7 Thus he showed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made with a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.
• Amos 8:2 : 2 And He said, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then the LORD said to me, The end has come upon my people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore.
• Acts 9:10 : 10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.