εὐδία

eudía

G2105 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A state of calm or pleasant weather, specifically clear skies or fair weather conditions as opposed to a storm. The term generally refers to favorable atmospheric conditions characterized by the absence of wind, rain, or storm clouds.

Semantic Range

clear weather, fair weather, calm skies, absence of storms

Root / Etymology

From εὖ ('well, good') and a form related to Δίᾱς ('Zeus'), the ancient Greek deity associated with the sky and weather. The compound indicates 'good weather ordained by Zeus.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

εὐδία appears rarely in classical sources and is infrequent in Hellenistic and Koine literature, found in contexts describing literal meteorological phenomena. Its use in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 16:2) denotes a binary contrast between fair and stormy weather. Classical Greek occasionally uses it in both prose and poetry to mark favorable sailing or travel conditions. In the Septuagint and contemporary Hellenistic texts, the word lacks metaphorical senses, maintaining its literal reference. Traditional English Bible translations render εὐδία as 'fair weather,' a generally accurate reflection, though the sense is slightly broader, encompassing the idea of a period of calm or stable weather, not just the absence of storms or precipitation. The personification linked to Zeus in the etymology is largely idiomatic and not literal in most Koine usage; the sense of divine involvement in the weather is not prominent in later periods.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine from εὖ and the alternate of Ζεύς (as the god of the weather); a clear sky, i.e. fine weather:--fair weather.

Root Family

εὐδία (eudia) — good weather, calm weather, clear sky

Root εὐδί- good weather, calm weather, clear sky

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2105-01 εὐδία eudia N NOM F SG fair weather calm weather calm weather 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2105-01 Matthew 16:2 εὐδία eudia N NOM F SG fair weather calm weather calm weather