πλήμμυρα (G4132) — Greek Lexicon

πλήμμυρα

plḗmmyra

G4132 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A rising body of water; a flood or overflow, especially referring to the period when a river is at its highest level, or the inundation caused by such. The term primarily denotes the swelling or surging of water, emphasizing the movement and overwhelming nature of the occurrence. In certain contexts, it can also broadly signify a deluge or any sudden influx (as of water).

Semantic Range

flood, flood-tide, inundation, overflowing, freshet, surge of water

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root πλήθω (to fill, to swell). Formed with the combination πλημμυρίς/πλημμερίς (rare, poetic) and the suffix -υρα, or possibly a nominal formation extending the idea of fullness/swelling. Cognate with Latin 'plurimus' (most) and related to other Indo-European roots for filling/fullness. The exact morphological path is debated in lexicographic literature.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, πλήμμυρα refers to the state of a river or the sea at flood stage—specifically the 'flood-tide,' distinct from the ebb or low tide (ἀμπώτις). In the Septuagint and New Testament, the word is used to denote literal floods, such as river inundations caused by seasonal rains (e.g., the Jordan in Joshua 3:15 LXX, Luke 6:48 NT). It is not inherently metaphorical, though writers may use it to convey overwhelming forces or events. Standard English translations generally render it as 'flood,' but this can obscure the ancient focus on the concept of rising, swelling, and overflowing, which is central to the lexical meaning. In Koine prose, πλήμμυρα has a concrete, descriptive use and does not acquire the figurative or apocalyptic connotations sometimes associated with the term 'flood' in later literature. Related but not synonymous with words for deluge or storm (e.g., κατακλυσμός, χειμάρρους).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

prolonged from πλήθω; flood-tide, i.e. (by analogy) a freshet:--flood.

Root Family

πλήμμυρα (plēmmura) — to fill, to swell, to overflow

Root πλημυρ- to fill, to swell, to overflow

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4132-01`	πλημμύρης	plemmures	`N GEN F SG`	flood	of the swelling flood	of the swelling flood	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4132-01`	Luke 6:48	πλημμύρης	plemmures	`N GEN F SG`	flood	of the swelling flood	of the swelling flood

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