παραθαλάσσιος

parathalássios

G3864 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Situated by or along the sea; located at or near the seashore. The term refers to a geographic position adjacent to the sea, especially in relation to settlements, regions, or activities occurring near or along a seacoast. Also used more generally of areas bordering a large lake (lacustrine).

Semantic Range

situated beside the sea, located along the seacoast, maritime, lakeside, bordering a large body of water

Root / Etymology

From παρά (beside, along) + θάλασσα (sea); the compound construction expresses proximity or adjacency to the sea.

Historical & Contextual Notes

παραθαλάσσιος is a late and rare Hellenistic/Koine adjective, primarily attested in Jewish-Greek literature, including the Septuagint (e.g., Joshua 9:1, Judith 2:28) and later in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 4:13, 15). In classical Greek, this compound does not appear; classical writers typically use τὰ παραθαλάττια for 'the things along the sea' or simply παραθαλαττεῖν (to dwell by the sea). In Koine usage, it indicates both strictly coastal locations and towns or regions near the edge of large lakes, as the Greek θάλασσα can designate major inland bodies of water (like the Lake of Gennesaret/Galilee). Standard English translations often render it 'coastal,' 'along the seashore,' or 'by the sea,' but these may obscure the inclusion of lakeshore contexts. It is a geographic, not ethnic or religious, descriptor. The term's use for both literal and sometimes metaphorical adjacency should be recognized, but primary attestation is always topographical.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παρά and θάλασσα; along the sea, i.e. maritime (lacustrine):--upon the sea coast.

Root Family

παραθαλάσσ- (parathalássios) — by the sea, along the shore, coastal

Root παραθαλάσσ- by the sea, along the shore, coastal

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3864-01 παραθαλασσίαν parathalassian ADJ.S ACC F SG by the sea coastal coastal region 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3864-01 Matthew 4:13 παραθαλασσίαν parathalassian ADJ.S ACC F SG by the sea coastal coastal region