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γαλήνη

galḗnē

G1055 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A state of stillness or tranquility, particularly referring to the calmness of the sea or weather after turbulence. In literary and Hellenistic contexts, may also denote inner composure or serenity. In the New Testament, primarily describes the sudden cessation of a storm, resulting in peaceful conditions on a lake or sea.

Semantic Range

calmness of the sea, tranquil state of weather, peaceful or serene conditions, stillness after turbulence; by extension, inner tranquility or composure (rare, literary)

Root / Etymology

Etymology uncertain; not clearly derived from an attested Greek root. The form is attested in classical Greek but its origins remain obscure, possibly pre-Greek or of onomatopoeic origin mimicking the sense of quietness.

Historical & Contextual Notes

γαλήνη appears in classical Greek (e.g. Herodotus, Euripides) to describe calm weather and the cessation of storms, typically in a maritime setting. In the Septuagint and other Jewish-Greek literature, it is used infrequently but always in connection to natural tranquility. In the New Testament (e.g. Luke 8:24), it denotes the sudden shift from violent waters or weather to complete calm, emphasizing the dramatic nature of the change. Contemporary English translations often use "calm" or "tranquility" but usually apply it just to the sea's condition, while the Greek term can also have a broader, even metaphorical, sense in other literature. The word remains strongly associated with the sea and weather phenomena in Koine Greek usage and does not generally refer to personal psychological calm in the NT.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain derivation; tranquillity:--calm.

Root Family

uncertain (bótrys) — proper name, personal name

Root uncertain calm, tranquility, stillness
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1009 βότρυς clusters
G1050 Γάϊος to Gaius
G108 Ἄζωτος Ashdod
G1148 Δαλμανουθά of Dalmanoutha
G1149 Δαλματία Dalmatia

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1055-01 γαλήνη galene N NOM F SG calm calm stillness calm stillness 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1055-01 Matthew 8:26 γαλήνη galene N NOM F SG calm calm stillness calm stillness
G1055-01 Mark 4:39 γαλήνη galene N NOM F SG calm calm stillness calm stillness
G1055-01 Luke 8:24 γαλήνη galene N NOM F SG calm calm stillness calm stillness
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