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λαῖλαψ

laîlaps

G2978 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A violent windstorm or squall, particularly one occurring at sea and characterized by suddenness and turbulence. The term primarily denotes a severe, tumultuous wind, with destructive force, especially in maritime contexts. In broader contexts, can refer to any furious, whirling storm.

Semantic Range

violent squall at sea, whirlwind, tempestuously strong wind, raging storm, turbulent tempest

Root / Etymology

uncertain etymology; possibly a loanword or of pre-Greek origin, as no clear cognate exists in related Indo-European languages or standard Greek morphological patterns.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Greek literature of the Hellenistic and Roman periods (including the Septuagint and New Testament), λαῖλαψ is rarely attested and is most often employed to denote violent storms at sea. In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 8:23, Mark 4:37), it designates the sudden, potentially life-threatening squalls common on large bodies of water like the Sea of Galilee. The imagery is of unpredictability and overwhelming force, rather than merely strong wind. By contrast, ἀνεμός refers simply to 'wind', without the connotation of tumult or danger. English Bible translations commonly render λαῖλαψ as 'storm' or 'tempest,' but these terms may not fully evoke the idea of a violent, swirling squall inherent in the Greek. No significant change in the word’s meaning is observable between the Septuagint and later Koine usage, but the term is always indicative of chaos and peril, especially to those at sea.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain derivation; a whirlwind (squall):--storm, tempest.

Root Family

uncertain (bótrys) — proper name, personal name

Root uncertain violent wind, sudden storm, squall
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1009 βότρυς clusters
G1050 Γάϊος to Gaius
G1055 γαλήνη calm stillness
G108 Ἄζωτος Ashdod
G1148 Δαλμανουθά of Dalmanoutha

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2978-02 λαῖλαψ lailaps N NOM F SG a storm violent squall a violent squall 2
G2978-01 λαίλαπος lailapos N GEN F SG a storm of a violent squall of a violent squall 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2978-02 Mark 4:37 λαῖλαψ lailaps N NOM F SG gale violent squall violent squall
G2978-02 Luke 8:23 λαῖλαψ lailaps N NOM F SG a storm violent squall a violent squall
G2978-01 2 Peter 2:17 λαίλαπος lailapos N GEN F SG a storm of a violent squall of a violent squall
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