Brief Overview of πλήμμυρα (Strong’s G4132: plēmmyra)

Strong’s G4132: A noun meaning “flood” or “inundation,” particularly a sudden rush of water. In ancient Greek, it described both natural flooding and metaphorical overwhelming forces. In New Testament usage, it appears in Jesus’s parable of the house builders, symbolizing life’s trials testing spiritual foundations.

U- Unveiling the Word

πλήμμυρα represents more than just a natural flood—it embodies overwhelming forces that test foundations. In Jesus’s parable, it serves as a powerful metaphor for life’s trials that reveal the quality of our spiritual foundation. Early church fathers saw this term as particularly significant in discussing persecution and spiritual testing. Today, it continues to remind us that our faith will face testing forces and the importance of building on solid spiritual foundations.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πλήμμυρα, plēmmyra, /PLAYM-mee-rah/
• Detailed pronunciation: PLAYM-mee-rah (emphasis on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: πλημ- (plēm-) related to “filling”
• Suffix: -μυρα (-myra) indicating flowing or surging
• Related to πλήμη (plēmē), “flood tide”

D – Defining Meanings

• Flood
• Inundation
• Rushing water

For compound words: Not a compound word, but contains suffix indicating flowing motion

Translation Options:

• Flood – Most common biblical usage
• Deluge – Emphasizes overwhelming nature
• Torrent – Captures sudden, violent aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• κατακλυσμός (kataklysmos) /kat-ak-LOOS-mos/ – flood, particularly catastrophic
  See G2627
• ποταμός (potamos) /pot-ah-MOS/ – river, flowing water
  See G4215

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: First

Examples:
Nominative: πλήμμυρα
Genitive: πλημμύρας
Dative: πλημμύρᾳ
Accusative: πλήμμυραν

• Cross-references to related water terminology

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its force and suddenness. Thayer’s notes its metaphorical applications. LSJ documents usage in natural disaster contexts. Vine’s highlights its parabolic significance. Strong’s connects it to overwhelming forces. LEH provides Septuagint usage in judgment contexts. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from disaster reports.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.” Luke 6:48

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

πλήμμυρα teaches us that trials will come to test our spiritual foundations. The gospel provides the solid rock of Christ on which we can build our lives, ensuring that when floods of trials come, our faith will stand firm. This word encourages us to examine our foundation and build wisely on Christ alone.

D – Did You Know?

1. Ancient Greek engineers used this term in flood control documentation.
2. Early Christian baptismal liturgies referenced this word symbolically.
3. The term influenced hydraulic engineering vocabulary.

Strong’s G4132: A noun describing a flood or rushing water, used metaphorically in Jesus’s teaching to represent trials testing spiritual foundations. Emphasizes both the suddenness and force of testing experiences that reveal the quality of one’s spiritual foundation.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: flood, trials, testing, foundations, parables, Luke, Jesus’s teachings, biblical Greek, spiritual testing, natural disasters, metaphors, spiritual foundations​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​