Introduction
Understanding Greek words is crucial in Biblical studies as it helps provide clarity on the original meaning and context within the Scriptures. The Greek word εὐροκλύδων (euroklýdōn) is particularly significant because it describes a specific type of storm mentioned in the New Testament. This word is directly tied to the maritime experiences of ancient cultures and has implications for understanding the perilous conditions faced by travelers in biblical times. Knowing the term’s significance and its cultural and historical context enriches our interpretation of New Testament narratives, particularly in understanding the Apostle Paul’s journey.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: εὐροκλύδων (euroklýdōn) [yoo-roh-KLEE-dohn]
- Etymology: Derived from two Greek root words: εὖρος (euros), meaning “east wind,” and κλύδων (klýdōn), meaning “a wave” or “billow.” Together, they describe a powerful east wind that stirs up violent waves, essentially referring to a tempest or a northeasterly storm.
- Part of Speech: Noun; this word is used to describe a meteorological phenomenon.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- A Northeasterly Windstorm
- A Tempest or Strong Gale
- A Stormy Wind Associated with Rough Seas
Similar Words: The word εὐροκλύδων is related to other Greek terms like λαιλαπς (lailaps), which means “a tempest” or “a squall,” and ἀνεμος (anemos), which means “wind.” While εὐροκλύδων specifically refers to a northeast windstorm that causes violent waves, λαιλαπς is a more general term for a fierce storm or squall that could arise from any direction. ἀνεμος, on the other hand, simply refers to wind without specifying its strength or impact, making it a broader term compared to εὐροκλύδων.
Further Insights:
Morphologically, εὐροκλύδων is a compound noun, combining εὖρος (east wind) and κλύδων (wave or surge). It is a unique term that captures both the wind direction and the resulting turbulent sea conditions. Since it is a noun, it does not have a declension table applicable like verbs or adjectives, but it would follow standard noun declension patterns in Greek grammar.
Click here for a beginner’s guide to reading Greek.
Lexicon Insights
BDAG:
BDAG defines εὐροκλύδων as a “northeaster” or “a strong northeast wind that causes a violent agitation of the sea.” It notes the word’s specific use in maritime contexts and its appearance in the New Testament in reference to a dangerous storm encountered by the Apostle Paul.
Thayer’s:
Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon describes εὐροκλύδων as “a violent agitation or a tempestuous wind from the east.” The lexicon highlights the word’s combination of east wind and surging waves, emphasizing its destructive potential in nautical settings.
Vines:
Vines Expository Dictionary defines εὐροκλύδων as “a northeaster,” explaining that it was a well-known storm among ancient sailors. It underscores the term’s relevance to those familiar with Mediterranean maritime culture and the dangers such storms posed to ancient navigation.
LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) lexicon provides a classical perspective on εὐροκλύδων, defining it as a “northeasterly gale” or “tempest.” It focuses on the literal combination of “east wind” and “wave” to describe a powerful storm. This lexicon underscores the word’s specificity to the violent weather patterns in the Mediterranean Sea.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance lists εὐροκλύδων as “a northeastern storm” or “a tempest.” It provides the root words that form the compound and emphasizes the word’s singular occurrence in the New Testament, making it a unique descriptor in biblical literature.
Related Scripture References
- Acts 27:14: “But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon (εὐροκλύδων).”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Pliny the Elder | Natural History | “The εὐροκλύδων (northeaster) was feared among sailors for its sudden fury.” |
| Polybius | Histories | “When the εὐροκλύδων (storm) arose, they were driven off course and faced peril.” |
| Strabo | Geography | “Navigators would prepare for the onset of the εὐροκλύδων (tempestuous wind).” |
Septuagint Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Job | Job 27:21 | “The east wind (εὐροκλύδων) carries him away, and he is gone.” |
| Ezekiel | Ezekiel 27:26 | “Your rowers have brought you into great waters: the east wind (εὐροκλύδων) has broken you.” |
| Jonah | Jonah 4:8 | “And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind (εὐροκλύδων).” |
Summary of εὐροκλύδων (G2148: euroklýdōn)
The Greek word εὐροκλύδων (euroklýdōn) is a noun that specifically describes a violent northeast windstorm known to cause dangerous sea conditions. Composed of εὖρος (east wind) and κλύδων (wave), it reflects the combined effect of a strong gale and turbulent waters. This term appears in the New Testament in Acts 27:14, describing a storm that impacted Paul’s sea journey. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, LSJ, and Strong’s Concordance highlight the word’s specificity to maritime culture and its importance in understanding the perilous nature of ancient seafaring. In both classical and Septuagint texts, εὐροκλύδων represents the powerful natural forces that ancient peoples respected and feared, providing rich imagery for biblical narrative and metaphor.
Did You Know?
Did you know that the term εὐροκλύδων, describing a specific type of Mediterranean storm, is one of the rarest Greek words in the New Testament? Its vivid imagery paints a picture of the dangerous conditions faced by ancient sailors, including the Apostle Paul, who experienced this terrifying storm firsthand on his journey to Rome!
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