πέλαγος
pélagos
G3989 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A broad expanse of water, the open sea; refers to the main body of the sea, especially as distinct from the coast or smaller bodies of water. Can also denote the depth or immensity of the sea, especially in poetic or figurative language. The primary sense is that of the vast, open sea (as opposed to shorelines or harbors).
Semantic Range
the open sea, the main (deep sea as opposed to shore); the expanse of water; poetically, the depth or immensity of the sea; figuratively, overwhelming immensity or depth
Root / Etymology
From root πέλαγ-; of Pre-Greek or uncertain origin; no clear derivation from known Indo-European roots.
Historical & Contextual Notes
πέλαγος first appears in Classical Greek literature (e.g. Homer) with the sense of the open sea or ocean, contrasted with smaller water bodies (λίμνη, 'lake') or harbors. It carries the nuance of immense, often perilous expanse, used both literally (navigating the sea) and figuratively (immensity, overwhelming force). In the Septuagint, often used where the Hebrew 'תְּהוֹם' (tehom, 'deep') or 'יָם' (yam, 'sea') appears, emphasizing sheer vastness. In the New Testament (e.g. James 1:6), used metaphorically to denote something great, unfathomable, or tumultuous in character (as with the tossing sea). Commonly translated 'sea' or 'deep,' though 'sea' in English does not fully convey the term's stress on breadth and limitless expanse. Unlike θάλασσα ('sea'), πέλαγος has a more poetic or epic resonance and rarely refers to a specific location or region.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain affinity; deep or open sea, i.e. the main:--depth, sea.
Root Family
πέλαγ- (pélagos) — open sea, broad expanse, depth
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3989-01 |
πελάγει | pelagei | N DAT N SG |
depth | in the open sea | open sea | 1 |
G3989-02 |
πέλαγος | pelagos | N ACC N SG |
sea | the open sea | the open sea | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3989-01 |
Matthew 18:6 | πελάγει | pelagei | N DAT N SG |
depth | in the open sea | open sea |
G3989-02 |
Acts 27:5 | πέλαγος | pelagos | N ACC N SG |
sea | the open sea | the open sea |