ChristianAnswers.Net WebBible Encyclopedia   early used in
foreign commerce by the Phoenicians (Gen. 49:13)  Moses (Deut.
28:68) and Job (9:26) make reference to them, and Balaam speaks
of the “ships of Chittim” (Num. 24:24). Solomon constructed a
navy at Ezion-geber by the assistance of Hiram's sailors (1
Kings 9:26-28; 2 Chr. 8:18). Afterwards, Jehoshaphat sought to
provide himself with a navy at the same port, but his ships
appear to have been wrecked before they set sail (1 Kings 22:48,
49; 2 Chr. 20:35-37).  In our Lord's time, fishermen's boats on
the Sea of Galilee were called “ships.” Much may be learned
regarding the construction of ancient merchant ships and
navigation from the record in Acts 27, 28.