θαυμαστός
thaumastós
G2298 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Worthy of wonder; extraordinary or remarkable, often provoking astonishment or admiration due to its unusual quality, unexpectedness, or greatness. May also describe something that inspires awe, is difficult to comprehend, or surpasses ordinary experience. In Koine Greek contexts, can refer either to objects, acts, or situations that evoke amazement, or to those considered miraculous or beyond common explanation.
Semantic Range
wonderful, marvelous, astonishing, extraordinary, remarkable, admirable, causing wonder or awe, hard to understand or explain, miraculous
Root / Etymology
From the verb θαυμάζω (to wonder, to marvel at), which is likely connected to ancient Greek θάομαι (to behold, to look at), suggesting a development from the sense of being visually or emotionally struck with awe.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, θαυμαστός is commonly used for anything that evokes wonder (positive or negative), not necessarily implying the supernatural, but more so the extraordinary or the rare. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the word is frequently used to convey the remarkable or astonishing character of acts or things, sometimes with the nuance of the miraculous (as in references to divine works or signs), but often simply to highlight striking or admirable qualities. English translations sometimes use 'marvelous,' 'wonderful,' or 'amazing,' but these may lack the breadth of the Greek term, which can emphasize both positive admiration and the inexplicable. Unlike related terms that specify 'signs' (σημεῖον) or 'wonders' as miracles, θαυμαστός focuses on the quality of evoking wonder rather than the cause or function of the event or object. Its use in ancient, Jewish, and early Christian literature is shaped by both literary and popular senses of awe and surprise.
Translation Consistency
"Wonderful" cleanly matches the SILEX range (worthy of wonder, extraordinary, causing awe) while remaining natural and widely usable for objects, acts, or miracles. It is less archaic than "wondrous," less narrowly religious than "miraculous," and fits typical Koine usages of θαυμαστός for things that provoke amazement or admiration.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from θαυμάζω; wondered at, i.e. (by implication) wonderful:--marvel(-lous).
Root Family
θαυμαστός (thaumastos) — wonderful, marvelous, astonishing, extraordinary, awe-inspiring
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2298-03 |
θαυμαστόν | thaumaston | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
marvelous | wondrous thing | wonderful thing | 3 |
G2298-02 |
θαυμαστὴ | thaumaste | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
marvelous | wondrous | wondrous | 2 |
G2298-01 |
θαυμαστὰ | thaumasta | ADJ.S NOM N PL |
marvelous | wondrous things | marvelous | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2298-02 |
Matthew 21:42 | θαυμαστὴ | thaumaste | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
marvelous | wondrous | wondrous |
G2298-02 |
Mark 12:11 | θαυμαστὴ | thaumaste | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
marvelous | wondrous | wondrous |
G2298-03 |
John 9:30 | θαυμαστόν | thaumaston | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
marvelous thing | wondrous thing | wonderful thing |
G2298-03 |
1 Peter 2:9 | θαυμαστὸν | thaumaston | ADJ.S ACC N SG |
marvelous | wondrous thing | wonderful thing |
G2298-03 |
Revelation 15:1 | θαυμαστόν | thaumaston | ADJ.S ACC N SG |
marvelous | wondrous thing | wonderful thing |
G2298-01 |
Revelation 15:3 | θαυμαστὰ | thaumasta | ADJ.S NOM N PL |
marvelous | wondrous things | marvelous |