Understanding βαθύς (bathys) Strong’s G901: The Profound Depths of God’s Truth and Spiritual Revelation

Pronunciation Guide: bah-THOOS (with the ‘th’ as in “thin”)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G901: βαθύς (bathys) refers to something that is deep, profound, or extending far downward. It denotes physical depth (as in deep water) but extends metaphorically to convey intellectual or spiritual depth – something that reaches beyond surface understanding into profound meaning. In Scripture, it often represents the mysterious, unfathomable aspects of God’s wisdom and the hidden treasures of spiritual truth.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Adjective
• Root: From the same as βάθος (bathos, G899) – depth
• Language origin: Ancient Greek
• Primary usage: Descriptive passages, narrative contexts, and teaching portions
• Used to qualify both physical objects and abstract concepts
• Appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts

βαθύς Morphology:

• βαθύς (nominative singular masculine) – deep
• βαθεῖα (nominative singular feminine) – deep
• βαθύ (nominative singular neuter) – deep
• βαθέος (genitive singular masculine/neuter) – of depth
• βαθεῖαν (accusative singular feminine) – deep
• βαθέα (nominative/accusative plural neuter) – deep things

Origin & History

The term βαθύς has ancient origins in classical Greek, where it primarily described physical depth, especially of bodies of water. Homer used it in the Iliad (Book 21) to describe the “deep-flowing” (βαθυρρόου) river Xanthus. Plato employed the term in philosophical contexts, expanding its meaning beyond physical depth to intellectual profundity in his Republic, where he discusses the “depths of ignorance” (βαθεῖα ἄγνοια).

In the Septuagint (LXX), βαθύς appears in passages like Ezekiel 3:5-6, where it describes nations with “deep speech” (βαθύχειλος) and “strange language,” emphasizing the incomprehensible nature of foreign tongues. The term evolved in Hellenistic literature to encompass not only physical depth but also profound wisdom, hidden knowledge, and the mysterious aspects of divine understanding. Church Father Origen particularly favored the concept in his exegetical works, referring to the “deep things” (βαθέα) of Scripture that required spiritual discernment to comprehend.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Something extending far down from the surface (physical depth)
• Something requiring extensive penetration to fully comprehend (intellectual depth)
• Something mysterious or hidden from immediate understanding (spiritual depth)
• Something occurring during the darkest part of night (“deep night”)
• Something rich in significance or meaning (profound depth)

βαθύς Translation Options:

• Deep – Most common translation, appropriate for both physical contexts (deep water) and metaphorical usage (deep mystery)
• Profound – Better captures the nuanced meaning when referring to wisdom or spiritual matters
• Unfathomable – Emphasizes the aspect of immeasurability or incomprehensibility
• Far-advanced – When referring to time, as in Luke 24:1’s “deep dawn/early dawn”
• Immense – Captures the expansive nature when describing abstract concepts

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, βαθύς appears only six times, yet each usage carries significant theological weight. Its first appearance in Luke 24:1 describes the women coming to Jesus’ tomb “at early dawn” (ὄρθρου βαθέος – orthrou batheos), literally “deep dawn,” suggesting the liminal time between darkness and daybreak—symbolically appropriate for the moment between death and resurrection. In John 4:11, the Samaritan woman notes that the well is “deep” (βαθύ), providing Jesus the opportunity to contrast physical depth with the spiritual depths of living water.

Paul employs the term most significantly in 1 Corinthians 2:10, where he speaks of the Spirit searching “the deep things of God” (τὰ βάθη τοῦ θεοῦ – ta bathē tou theou), using the related noun form. This usage reveals how the concept of depth in Scripture often connects to divine mystery and spiritual revelation. The term also appears in Revelation 2:24, warning against “the deep things of Satan” (τὰ βαθέα τοῦ Σατανᾶ – ta bathea tou Satana), contrasting false spiritual depth with true divine wisdom.

• “Now on the first day of the week, at early dawn [ὄρθρου βαθέος]…” – Luke 24:1
• “The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep [βαθύ]…'” – John 4:11
• “For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things [βάθη] of God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:10
• “But I say to you… who have not known the deep things [βαθέα] of Satan, as they call them…” – Revelation 2:24
• “But falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.” – Acts 27:41-44 (context refers to “deep water” [βαθύς])
• “And he said, A hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.” – Luke 16:6-7 (context includes βαθέως – “deeply” in debt)

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, deep waters represented both danger and mystery. The Hebrews were not a seafaring people, and the depths of the sea were viewed with trepidation, often symbolizing chaos and the unknown. This cultural perspective illuminates why βαθύς carried connotations beyond mere physical measurement—it suggested entering realms beyond normal human experience or understanding.

The timing described in Luke 24:1 as ὄρθρου βαθέος (orthrou batheos, “deep dawn”) reflects the Jewish understanding of time divisions. This was the fourth watch of the night (approximately 3-6 AM), considered the darkest hour before dawn—a time when most people were still sleeping. In Jewish thought, this moment carried special significance as it represented the time when God’s mercies were renewed (reflected in Lamentations 3:22-23, “His mercies are new every morning”). The women’s arrival at this liminal time between darkness and light parallels the transition from death to resurrection, from despair to hope—a profound theological symbol embedded in this seemingly simple time reference.

Theological Significance

The concept of βαθύς in Scripture reveals a fundamental truth about God’s nature and our relationship with Him—divine wisdom and revelation often lie beyond surface understanding. When Paul speaks of “the deep things of God” in 1 Corinthians 2:10, he illuminates the tension between God’s transcendence and His desire to be known. These depths are not completely inaccessible, for the Spirit “searches all things,” yet they remain profound enough that we continually discover new facets of His truth.

This reveals an important principle in our understanding of Yahweh: He is both knowable and unfathomable. Like the Samaritan woman at the well, we often approach God with physical understandings (the well is deep), while He invites us into spiritual depths (living water). The Messiah consistently calls His followers beyond surface-level religious practice into the profound depths of relationship with the Father. This pattern reflects God’s character—He doesn’t withhold wisdom but invites us deeper, as James 1:5 promises that He “gives generously to all without finding fault.”

The contrast between “the deep things of God” and “the deep things of Satan” in Revelation 2:24 underscores that spiritual depth can be counterfeit. True depth is found in the humility of seeking God’s wisdom rather than esoteric knowledge that puffs up. This reflects Yahweh’s character as the God who “opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

Personal Application

The concept of βαθύς challenges us to move beyond shallow spirituality into the profound depths of God’s truth. Just as the women at the tomb arrived in the “deep dawn,” we too are invited to seek the Messiah in those liminal spaces—when answers aren’t obvious and faith requires persistence. These moments of darkness before dawn often become the very places where resurrection power is revealed.

In practical terms, this means approaching Scripture not merely for information but for transformation. When we read God’s Word, do we wade in the shallows, or do we dive into the depths? The Holy Spirit invites us to search the “deep things of God,” which requires time, meditation, and humble dependence. Consider establishing a practice of lectio divina or contemplative reading, allowing a single passage to sink deeply into your spirit rather than skimming multiple chapters. Remember that in God’s economy, depth often matters more than breadth.

Related Words

• βάθος (bathos, BAH-thos) – depth, height, immensity; the noun form from which βαθύς derives, often used for physical or metaphorical depth, especially regarding God’s wisdom and mystery. See G899
• βαθύνω (bathynō, bah-THOO-no) – to deepen, excavate, or make deep; used in Luke 6:48 when the wise builder “dug deep” to lay his foundation on rock, illustrating spiritual diligence. See G900
• ἄβυσσος (abyssos, AH-boo-sos) – the abyss, bottomless, unfathomable depth; a more intense term than βαθύς, often referring to the abode of demons or the place of the dead. See G12
• πέλαγος (pelagos, PEL-ah-gos) – the deep sea, open ocean; refers specifically to deep waters rather than depth in general, evoking images of vastness and potential danger. See G3989
• μυστήριον (mystērion, moo-STAY-ree-on) – mystery, secret; while not directly related etymologically, this word connects conceptually with βαθύς as both refer to things hidden from immediate understanding but revealed through divine disclosure. See G3466

Did you Know?

• In ancient Greek mathematics, βαθύς was used in geometrical descriptions to indicate the third dimension (depth) beyond length and width. This mathematical usage influenced philosophical thinking about depth as a dimension beyond the immediately visible, paralleling how spiritual truths exist beyond surface appearances.
• The phrase ὄρθρου βαθέος (“deep dawn”) in Luke 24:1 connects linguistically to the Hebrew concept of נֶשֶׁף (neshef), a term describing the twilight periods at dawn and dusk. These transitional times were considered spiritually significant in Jewish tradition, representing moments when the veil between heaven and earth was thinner. This adds profound symbolism to the timing of the disciples’ discovery of the empty tomb.
• Modern Greek has retained βαθύς in everyday usage, where it describes not only physical depth but also deep sleep (βαθύς ύπνος), deep voice (βαθιά φωνή), and deep thinking (βαθιά σκέψη). The persistence of both literal and metaphorical meanings across millennia demonstrates the word’s conceptual power and universality.

Remember This

βαθύς reminds us that God’s truth, like living water, invites us not merely to wade in the shallows of religion but to dive into the profound depths of relationship with Him, where resurrection power transforms darkness into dawn.