18 As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw things overboard.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
They lightened the ship - By throwing out a part of the cargo.
Lightened the ship - Of what, we know not; but it was probably cumbrous wares, by which the deck was thronged, and which were prejudicial to the due trim of the vessel.
(4) And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next [day] they lightened the ship;
(4) The result proves that none provide worse for themselves than those who commit themselves to be governed only by their own wisdom.
And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest,.... Sometimes being lifted up as it were to the heavens, and then presently sinking down, as if they were going into the bottom of the sea; such a condition at sea is described to the life by the Psalmist, in Psalm 107:25.
the next day they lightened the ship; of its burden, its lading, the goods and merchandise that were in it; as the mariners did in the ship in which Jonah was, Jonah 1:5 the Ethiopic version renders it, "they cast the goods into the sea"; the Arabic version, the "merchandise".
They lightened the ship - Casting the heavy goods into the sea.
*More commentary available at chapter level.