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1. Overview

βαθύς (Bathys) is a Greek adjective meaning “deep” or “profound.” This term encompasses both physical and metaphorical depths. In its primary sense, it refers to physical depth, like that of a sea or well. Metaphorically, it’s used to describe profundity in knowledge, emotion, or experience.

2. Lexical Details

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BDAG defines Bathys as relating to extensive depth, often used in reference to bodies of water or deep places of the earth. Thayer’s emphasizes its use in describing intellectual or spiritual profundity. Vines and LSJ note its frequent appearance in literary texts to describe deep emotions or complex thoughts, suggesting an overlap in physical and abstract applications. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance links it to various passages where depth is a key component.

Biblical references:

• Matthew 13:5: Describes seeds falling on rocky ground where there was not much soil; the depth (βαθύς) of the soil affects the seed’s growth.
• 1 Corinthians 2:10: Speaks of God revealing deep (βαθύς) things through the Spirit, indicating profound spiritual truths.
• Revelation 2:24: Refers to the “deep things” of Satan, illustrating the concept of profound and hidden evil.

3. Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, Bathys appears in a variety of contexts, emphasizing both literal and figurative depth. Homer uses it in the Iliad and the Odyssey to describe the sea’s depth. Philosophers like Plato employ it metaphorically to discuss deep thinking or the profundity of ideas. In the works of Sophocles, the word often enhances the dramatic element, portraying characters with deep sorrow or complex motives.

4. Summary

The word βαθύς serves as a versatile descriptor in Greek language, adept at portraying both tangible and intangible depths. Its application across biblical and classical texts highlights its dual utility in describing both the physical world and the depth of human emotions and intellect. This dual nature makes Bathys a rich term for exploration in theological, philosophical, and literary studies, bridging the material and the metaphysical through its descriptive power.