νότος
nótos
G3558 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primary meaning: the southern wind, especially the warm wind blowing from the south; by extension: the direction to the south, the southern region or quarter. Also used in broader or metaphorical reference to southern lands or the south in relation to other compass points.
Semantic Range
the south wind, a warm or moist wind from the south; the southern direction; southern region or quarter; by extension, the south as a region or point of the compass; occasionally, southern lands or territories
Root / Etymology
Of uncertain etymology. The term νότος appears in Greek from early periods, but its origin is unclear and not directly related to clear Indo-European roots. Some suggest pre-Greek origin.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, νότος most often refers to the south wind, typically warm and sometimes associated with moisture or rain. In poetry and prose, it can also denote the southern quarter or region more generally. In Greco-Roman meteorology, the νότος was one of the cardinal winds and contrasted with other winds like βορέας (the north wind). In the Septuagint, it is commonly used to translate Hebrew terms such as נֶגֶב (negev) or תֵּימָן (teiman), which may mean 'south' as a direction or region, or the 'south wind.' In the New Testament, νότος primarily denotes the south or the south wind, sometimes with implicit reference to navigation and travel (e.g., Acts 27:13). English Bible translations often render νότος simply as 'south' or 'south wind,' but the word can carry a more nuanced meteorological or regional sense in Greek usage. The semantic distinction from other directional or wind terms, such as the southeast λίψ (lips), should be noted. Unlike some modern interpretations, the ancient use of νότος did not always precisely correspond to the geographic south, but often described a sector of southern winds or realms in relation to Greek geography.
Translation Consistency
νότος primarily denotes the south/southern direction and by extension the south wind or southern region. A single-word head like “south” is natural English, covers both the wind and regional senses, and allows consistent inflection or compounding (e.g., “south wind,” “southern,” “the south”) across all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain affinity; the south(-west) wind; by extension, the southern quarter itself:--south (wind).
Root Family
νότος (notos) — south wind, southern direction, southern region
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3558-02 |
νότου | notou | N GEN M SG |
of the south | of the south wind | of the south wind | 6 |
G3558-01 |
νότον | noton | N ACC M SG |
south wind | south wind | south wind | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3558-02 |
Matthew 12:42 | νότου | notou | N GEN M SG |
of the south | of the south wind | of the south |
G3558-02 |
Luke 11:31 | νότου | notou | N GEN M SG |
of the south | of the south wind | of the south |
G3558-01 |
Luke 12:55 | νότον | noton | N ACC M SG |
south wind | south wind | south wind |
G3558-02 |
Luke 13:29 | νότου | notou | N GEN M SG |
south | of the south wind | south |
G3558-02 |
Acts 27:13 | νότου | notou | N GEN M SG |
south wind | of the south wind | of the south wind |
G3558-02 |
Acts 28:13 | νότου | notou | N GEN M SG |
south wind | of the south wind | of the south wind |
G3558-02 |
Revelation 21:13 | νότου | notou | N GEN M SG |
the south | of the south wind | of the south wind |