Greek · G2281 · unreviewed

θάλασσα

The sea (genitive case or specially)

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

θάλασσα G2281

Pronunciation thálassa

What does θάλασσα (thálassa) mean in the Bible?

θάλασσα (thálassa) is a Greek word meaning "the sea (genitive case or specially)". θάλασσα, -ης, ἡ [in LXX chiefly for יָם ;] the sea: Mat. Symbol of chaos subdued by divine authority.

Full entry for θάλασσα (G2281) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

the sea (genitive case or specially)

Extended definition

Sea as boundary between divine and human realms; often represents chaos, danger, or divine judgment in NT theology.

the sea: Mat.23:15, Mrk.11:23, Luk.21:25, Rom.9:27, Heb.11:12, Jas.1:6, Ju 13, Rev.7:1, al.; τὸ πέλαγος τῆς θ. (see Tr., ut infr.), Mat.18:6; ὁ οὐρανὸς κ. ἡ γῆ κ. ἡ θ., of the whole world, Act.4:24, al. (Hag.2:7); θ. ὑαλίνη, Rev.4:6 15:2; of the Mediterranean, Act.10:6, 32 17:14; of the Red Sea, ἐρυθρὰ θ., Act.7:36, 1Co.10:1-2, Heb.11:20; of an inland lake (as Heb. יָם), θ. τ. Γαλιλαίας, Mat.4:18 15:29, Mrk.1:16 7:31; τ. Τιβεριάδος, Jhn.21:1; τ. Γ. τ. T., Jhn.6:1; of the same, simply ἡ θ., Mat.4:15, Mrk.2:13, al

Synonymsπέλαγος, the vast expanse of open water"; θ., "the sea as contrasted with the land" (Tr., Syn., xiii)

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Why This Word Matters

Symbol of chaos subdued by divine authority.

Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Singular · Feminine Matt 8:27 · Mark 4:41 · John 6:18 · Rev 4:6 · Rev 20:13 · Rev 21:1 6×

Genitive · Singular · Feminine Matt 4:15 · Matt 14:26 · Matt 18:6 · Mark 5:1 · Mark 6:47 · Mark 6:48 · Mark 6:49 · Luke 21:25 · John 6:1 · John 6:17 · John 6:19 · John 6:22 · John 6:25 · John 21:1 · Acts 28:4 · Rom 9:27 29×

Dative · Singular · Feminine Matt 8:24 · Matt 8:26 · Mark 1:16 · Mark 4:1 · Mark 4:39 · Mark 5:13 · Luke 17:6 · 1 Cor 10:2 · 2 Cor 11:26 · Rev 8:9 · Rev 16:3 · Rev 18:19 12×

Accusative · Singular · Feminine Matt 4:18 · Matt 8:32 · Matt 13:1 · Matt 13:47 · Matt 14:25 · Matt 15:29 · Matt 17:27 · Matt 21:21 · Matt 23:15 · Mark 1:16 · Mark 2:13 · Mark 3:7 · Mark 4:1 · Mark 5:13 · Mark 5:21 · Mark 7:31 43×

Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

Witnesses

John 6:16-21 θάλαϒϒα thálassa

sea

Appears In

Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

John 21 — The Risen Lord Restores, Commissions, Shepherds, and Testifies through His Witness Mark 6 — Rejected Prophet, Sending Lord, Wilderness Shepherd, and Divine Son on the Sea Matthew 14 — The Death of John, the Compassion of Jesus, and the Son of God over Bread, Sea, and Fear Matthew 18 — Kingdom Humility, Care for the Little Ones, Discipline, and Forgiveness in Christ’s Community Matthew 4 — The Tested Son, the Kingdom Proclaimed, and the First Disciples Called Matthew 8 — The Authority of Jesus over Uncleanness, Sickness, Discipleship, Storms, and Demons

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details