Brief Overview of θαυμαστός (Strong’s G2298: thaumastós)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words like θαυμαστός (thaumastós) is essential for deepening our comprehension of Biblical texts. This word, often translated as “wonderful” or “marvelous,” conveys a sense of awe or astonishment in the context of divine acts, miracles, or extraordinary events. In the New Testament, θαυμαστός plays a key role in expressing the miraculous and awe-inspiring nature of God’s actions, while its use in classical Greek literature underscores its cultural significance in conveying admiration or reverence.

Key Information

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• The Greek Word: θαυμαστός (thaumastós), [thow-mas-TOS]
• Etymology: Derived from the root word θαῦμα (thauma), meaning “wonder” or “marvel,” and the suffix -στός (-stos), which forms an adjective.
• Part of Speech: Adjective (2nd declension)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Marvelous, wonderful.
• Inspiring awe or reverence.
• Extraordinary or miraculous.

Similar Words: θαυμάσιος (thaumásios), [thow-MAH-see-os] – Another adjective with a similar meaning, “marvelous” or “wonderful,” but often used in more general contexts. θαυμαστός emphasizes a deeper sense of wonder, often related to the divine or supernatural, while θαυμάσιος may describe something admirable or notable without the same sense of divine or miraculous intervention.

Further Insights: θαυμαστός as an adjective follows the typical pattern of the second declension in Greek. It can be modified to agree with different genders, numbers, and cases in Greek grammar. Below is a table showing its declension across masculine, feminine, and neuter forms:

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek: Understanding Greek Grammar: A Beginner’s Guide.

Lexicon Insights

• BDAG: Defines θαυμαστός as “wonderful, marvelous,” particularly in reference to events or actions that cause amazement, often divine or supernatural.
• Thayers: Describes θαυμαστός as “something that inspires wonder,” frequently used to denote things that provoke a sense of awe, whether divine works or extraordinary phenomena.
• Vines: Notes that θαυμαστός emphasizes the miraculous nature of an event or action, often pointing to God’s power and majesty in the New Testament context.
• LSJ: Explains that θαυμαστός appears in various classical Greek texts to describe something “marvelous” or “worthy of admiration,” especially when discussing divine acts or miraculous occurrences.
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Defines θαυμαστός as “wonderful” or “marvelous,” with emphasis on occurrences in the New Testament that highlight the miraculous and awe-inspiring acts of God.

Related Scripture References

• 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous [θαυμαστόν] light.”
• Revelation 15:3: “And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, ‘Great and marvelous [θαυμαστά] are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!’”

Classical Usage

Summary of θαυμαστός (G2298: thaumastós)

The adjective θαυμαστός (G2298: thaumastós) encapsulates the concept of something that inspires awe, wonder, or amazement. Derived from the noun θαῦμα (thauma), meaning “wonder,” it is used extensively in both Biblical and classical Greek to describe events, deeds, or attributes that provoke admiration or reverence. In the New Testament, θαυμαστός often appears in contexts that highlight the miraculous or divine, serving as a reminder of God’s extraordinary works. Its usage in classical texts further extends this meaning, indicating the broad cultural significance of marvels and wonders in the ancient world.

Did You Know?

The word θαυμαστός is not only limited to describing divine acts but is also used in philosophical contexts to explore the nature of awe and wonder as responses to truth and beauty. For example, in Plato’s works, the term sometimes illustrates the overwhelming effect of profound truth or philosophical insight, showing that in Greek thought, the divine and intellectual marvels were often intertwined.