Understanding ἀτμίς (atmis) Strong’s G822: The Divine Vapor that Reveals God’s Supernatural Power

Pronunciation Guide: at-mees’ (as in “at” + “peace” without the “ce”)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G822: ἀτμίς refers to vapor, steam, or smoke rising from a substance. In biblical usage, it often carries supernatural connotations, particularly in prophetic contexts where it appears as a sign of divine manifestation or judgment. The word emphasizes the ethereal and temporary nature of physical phenomena while pointing to spiritual realities.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (feminine)
• Root: Related to ἀτμός (atmos), meaning breath or vapor
• Primary usage in prophetic and apocalyptic literature
• Rare in New Testament (only 1 occurrence)
• Common in Septuagint, especially in wisdom literature

ἀτμίς Morphology:

• ἀτμίς (nominative singular) – vapor
• ἀτμίδος (genitive singular) – of vapor
• ἀτμίδι (dative singular) – to/with vapor
• ἀτμίδα (accusative singular) – vapor (direct object)

Origin & History

The word ἀτμίς has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it was used by natural philosophers to describe the process of evaporation and the formation of clouds. Aristotle, in his “Meteorologica,” employs the term when discussing atmospheric phenomena and the transformation of water into vapor. The concept played a significant role in early Greek scientific thought about the nature of matter and its changes.

In the Septuagint, ἀτμίς appears notably in wisdom literature, particularly in the book of James and Wisdom of Solomon, where it serves as a metaphor for the transient nature of human life and the visible manifestation of divine presence. The Early Church Fathers, including Clement of Alexandria in his “Stromata,” used the term to explain both natural phenomena and spiritual realities.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Rising vapor or steam indicating transformation of matter
• Visible manifestation of divine presence
• Symbol of life’s transient nature
• Atmospheric phenomenon in natural philosophy

ἀτμίς Translation Options:

• Vapor – Best captures both the physical and metaphorical sense
• Steam – Appropriate when emphasizing the visible nature of the phenomenon
• Mist – Useful when emphasizing the ethereal quality
• Smoke – When context suggests ritual or judgment contexts

Biblical Usage

The term ἀτμίς appears most prominently in Acts 2:19, where it forms part of Peter’s quotation from the prophet Joel regarding the signs of the last days. Here, the word is paired with “smoke” in a hendiadys construction, emphasizing the visible manifestation of God’s power and judgment.

In the Septuagint, the word appears in several significant passages, particularly in wisdom literature where it serves as a metaphor for the brevity of human life and the manifestation of divine presence. This usage creates a rich theological backdrop for its New Testament appearance.

Key Biblical References:

• “And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and vapor [ἀτμίς] of smoke.” Acts 2:19
• “For you are a vapor [ἀτμίς] that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:14

Cultural Insights

In ancient Near Eastern culture, vapor and smoke held significant religious importance, often associated with divine presence and communication. The burning of incense in the Temple produced a sacred vapor that was seen as facilitating communion with God. This cultural understanding would have informed the first-century Jewish audience’s reception of Peter’s prophetic declaration in Acts.

The concept of ἀτμίς also connected with ancient Jewish understanding of the nephesh (breath of life), where vapor or breath was seen as intimately connected with both physical life and spiritual reality. This dual nature of vapor – both visible yet intangible – made it a powerful metaphor for spiritual truths in both Jewish and early Christian thought.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀτμίς in Scripture reveals profound theological truths about God’s nature and His interaction with creation. As a sign of the last days, it points to God’s sovereign control over both natural and supernatural realms. The vapor serves as a visible manifestation of invisible spiritual realities, reminding us that God often uses physical phenomena to reveal spiritual truths.

Moreover, the word’s application to human life in James emphasizes our dependence on God and the temporal nature of earthly existence compared to His eternal nature. This creates a beautiful tension between the temporary nature of the vapor itself and the eternal significance of what it represents in God’s redemptive plan.

Personal Application

When we encounter ἀτμίς in Scripture, we’re reminded of both our finitude and God’s infinitude. Like vapor, our lives are brief, yet they can be filled with eternal significance when lived in alignment with God’s purposes. This understanding should inspire humility and purposeful living, recognizing that while our physical existence is temporary, our spiritual impact can be eternal.

Just as vapor can be seen but not grasped, we’re encouraged to hold loosely to temporal things while firmly grasping eternal truths. This perspective helps us maintain proper priorities and live with eternal perspective in our daily decisions.

Related Words

• καπνός (kapnos) – smoke, specifically from fire or burning – emphasizes visibility and often judgment contexts See G2586
• πνεῦμα (pneuma) – breath, wind, spirit – shares the invisible yet powerful nature See G4151
• νεφέλη (nephele) – cloud – related atmospheric phenomenon often associated with divine presence See G3507
• ὁμίχλη (homichlē) – mist, fog – similar atmospheric phenomenon but more earth-bound See G3658

Did you Know?

• The word ἀτμίς is the root of our modern word “atmosphere,” reflecting its ancient connection to understanding the air and sky above us. This scientific heritage reminds us how biblical language often bridges natural and supernatural realities.
• In ancient Greek medical texts, ἀτμίς was used to describe the process of using steam for healing purposes, showing how the word could convey both physical and metaphorical cleansing or transformation.
• The pairing of ἀτμίς with smoke in Acts 2:19 creates a powerful image that would have reminded first-century Jews of both the Sinai theophany and traditional Jewish apocalyptic literature, where such phenomena consistently indicated divine presence and activity.

Remember This

ἀτμίς stands as a profound reminder that God often uses the visible and temporary to reveal the invisible and eternal, calling us to look beyond the physical to grasp deeper spiritual realities.