λίμνη (G3041) — Greek Lexicon

λίμνη

límnē

G3041 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An expanse of inland water, typically larger than a pond but smaller than a sea; a lake. In literary and documentary Greek, refers to a body of fresh water entirely or mostly enclosed by land. In some contexts, may refer more broadly to any substantial standing inland water, including marshy lakes or lagoons. The word denotes a natural or occasionally artificial basin of water distinct from rivers (ποταμός) and seas (θάλασσα).

Semantic Range

lake, pond, marshy pool, inland body of water, basin, (rarely) lagoon; figurative in apocalyptic literature as a metaphorical 'lake' (e.g., of fire)

Root / Etymology

Related to λιμήν (harbor, haven), possibly by a semantic shift or analogy to 'enclosed water.' The precise etymological link is uncertain; both terms stem from an Indo-European root meaning 'moist' or 'liquid.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, λίμνη refers to any substantial inland body of water, including lakes, pools, or even marshy areas. In the Septuagint (LXX) and New Testament, λίμνη consistently indicates a considerable body of freshwater, as with the 'Sea of Galilee' which is often called λίμνη despite being also termed θάλασσα (sea) elsewhere. This points to a certain flexibility in Greek geographic terminology, where both θάλασσα (primarily 'sea' but also large lakes) and λίμνη may be used of the same location. Hellenistic usage generally distinguishes λίμνη from θάλασσα (the latter typically being saltwater and of much greater scope), but boundaries between terms may blur, especially for very large lakes. Greek λίμνη never carries inherent connotations of ritual or religious significance, unlike some Hebrew or Near Eastern terms for bodies of water. English Bible translations usually render λίμνη as 'lake,' which adequately reflects the core sense, though 'pond' is too small and 'sea' is broader and sometimes misleading. The term is rarely used metaphorically; exceptions include a handful of apocalyptic passages (e.g., λίμνη τοῦ πυρός, 'lake of fire' in Revelation), which signal a visionary or symbolic extension. No significant narrowing or broadening of meaning occurs between classical, Hellenistic, or New Testament periods.

Translation Consistency

primary "lake" 11 occurrences

λίμνη normally denotes a standing inland body of water and is most naturally and commonly rendered as "lake." This covers larger ponds, marshy pools, and the figurative apocalyptic "lake (of fire)" usage while remaining simple and idiomatic in English.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from λιμήν (through the idea of nearness of shore); a pond (large or small):--lake.

Root Family

λίμνη (límnē) — standing water, inland lake, basin

Root λιμν- standing water, inland lake, basin

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3041-02`	λίμνην	limnen	`N ACC F SG`	lake	a lake	lake	8
`G3041-01`	λίμνη	limne	`N NOM F SG`	lake	inland lake	lake	2
`G3041-03`	λίμνης	limnes	`N GEN F SG`	lake	of a lake	lake	1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3041-02`	Luke 5:1	λίμνην	limnen	`N ACC F SG`	lake	a lake	lake
`G3041-02`	Luke 5:2	λίμνην	limnen	`N ACC F SG`	lake	a lake	lake
`G3041-03`	Luke 8:22	λίμνης	limnes	`N GEN F SG`	lake	of a lake	lake
`G3041-02`	Luke 8:23	λίμνην	limnen	`N ACC F SG`	lake	a lake	lake
`G3041-02`	Luke 8:33	λίμνην	limnen	`N ACC F SG`	lake	a lake	lake
`G3041-02`	Revelation 19:20	λίμνην	limnen	`N ACC F SG`	lake	a lake	lake
`G3041-02`	Revelation 20:10	λίμνην	limnen	`N ACC F SG`	lake	a lake	lake
`G3041-02`	Revelation 20:14	λίμνην	limnen	`N ACC F SG`	lake	a lake	lake
`G3041-01`	Revelation 20:14	λίμνη	limne	`N NOM F SG`	lake	inland lake	lake
`G3041-02`	Revelation 20:15	λίμνην	limnen	`N ACC F SG`	lake	a lake	lake
`G3041-01`	Revelation 21:8	λίμνῃ	limne	`N DAT F SG`	lake	inland lake	lake

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