Category Archives: Greek word studies

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The Greek verb “θάλπω”

Limited to Eph. 5:29 and 1 Thess. 2:7, the Greek verb “thalpo” meant “cherish,” “to care for,” “comfort.”  Paul said husbands are to love their wives as they “cherish” their own bodies (Eph. 5:29).  Paul’s care for the Thessalonians was like the “cherished” care of a mother or nurse (1 Thess. 2:7).

The Greek noun “θάλασσα”

Found about ninety times in the New Testament, the Greek noun “thalasso” meant “lake,” “sea,” “the sea.”  While this word can describe inland lakes as well as “open seas,” it is also used symbolically.  In fact, the book of Revelation uses this word more than twenty times (compare Rev. 4:6; 5:13; 7:1-3; 21:1).  Silva 2:402) noted how “God is the Creator of the tripartite world consisting of heaven, earth, and sea (Acts 4:24; 14:15; Rev. 10:6; 14:7).  This is also one of the places where God has shown His power (Mt. 8:23-27; 14:22-33).

“In the sea the power of water hostile to God and men opposes the people of Israel (Jer. 51:42; Pss. 46[45]:3f.; 65(64):8).  (Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 3:983).  The sea is also described as the habitation of the dragon who is a great enemy of God (Rev. 13:1), and the four great beasts from the sea (Dan. 7:1-2).

The Greek noun “ἦχος”

Limited to Lk. 4:37; 21:25 (some manuscripts); Acts 2:2; Heb. 12:19, the Greek noun “echos” meant “rumor,” “sound,” “report,” “noise.”  There was a “report,” which may have been a rumor, about Jesus (Lk. 4:37).  A sound from heaven was heard on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1).  When the Law was given on Mount Sinai, the “sound” of a trumpet was heard (Heb. 12:19).

The Greek verb “ἠχέω”

Limited to Lk. 21:25; 1 Cor. 13:1, the Greek verb “echeo” meant “make a noise” or “to sound.”  Paul told the Corinthians the spiritual gift of tongues was like “sounding” brass, if they did not have love.  Luke used this term to describe the “roar” of the sea.

The Greek adjective “ἥττων”

Limited to 1 Cor. 11:17; 2 Cor. 12:15, the Greek adjective “hetton” meant “inferior,” “less,” “worse.”  Due to their abuse of the Lord’s Supper, the Corinthians assemblies were for the “worse.”  Paul told the Corinthians the more he loved them the “less” they loved him.

The Greek verb “ἡττάω”

Limited to 2 Cor. 12:13; 2 Pet. 2:19-20, the Greek verb “hettao” meant “overcome,” “inferior,” “to be less,” “defeated.”  Peter used this term to describe false teachers.  Paul used this word to help correct some of the wrong thinking in the church at Corinth.

The Greek conjunction “ἤτοι”

Limited to Rom. 6:16, the Greek conjunction “etoi” meant “whether” or “either.”  All accountable people must choose obedience, which leads to eternal life, or sin, which leads to eternal condemnation.

These posts will resume on 4/27 – ἡσύχιος

Limited to 1 Tim. 2:2 and 1 Pet. 3:4, the Greek adjective “hesuchios” meant “tranquil,” “peaceable,” “quiet,” and described a person’s inner self or nature.