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ποταμός

potamós

G4215 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A river; a large, naturally flowing body of water that moves continuously along a defined course. The term can denote any significant or notable stream of water, usually contrasted with smaller creeks or brooks, and sometimes used metaphorically for abundance or overwhelming quantity (e.g., 'flood'). In figurative and poetic contexts, may refer to powerful forces, masses of people, or the outpouring of something (e.g., 'streams of living water').

Semantic Range

river, major stream, watercourse, flood (figuratively), source or outpouring (metaphorically), abundance or multitude (poetically)

Root / Etymology

From Greek ποταμός, deriving from the root ποταμ- which is likely related to the verbal root πίνω ('to drink'), with some lexicographers suggesting a link to πότος ('drink' or 'drinking'), though precise derivation is debated. The term appears in Greek literature from Homer onward, and is not directly borrowed from another language; etymology uncertain beyond internal Greek derivation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ποταμός was the standard term for a river or major stream, frequently appearing in both literal and metaphorical senses. In the Septuagint, it routinely translates Hebrew נָהָר (nahar), referring to prominent rivers like the Euphrates, or symbolically for significant flooding waters, and occasionally for imagery of abundance, fertility, or judgment. In the New Testament, ποταμός is most often used in the context of natural geography but also appears in metaphorical descriptions (e.g., 'rivers of living water' in John 7:38, which draws on prophetic and wisdom literature). The English term 'river' is generally adequate, but does not always capture metaphorical or poetic connotations present in Greek. The word does not intrinsically imply floodwater (as distinct from ἄφεδρος or πλημμύρα), but can be used for overwhelming streams depending on context. Related terms include ὄμβρος ('rain') and κρήνη ('spring, fountain'), which emphasize origin rather than course. ποταμός is distinct from χειμάρρους, which refers to a torrent or a seasonal, storm-water flow.

Translation Consistency

primary "river" 17 occurrences

'River' is the most natural and common English equivalent for ποταμός, matching the majority of attestations and the primary SILEX sense (major stream/watercourse). It also cleanly covers plural and figurative uses (e.g., 'rivers' of something, outpouring/abundance) while remaining simple and consistent for all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from a derivative of the alternate of πίνω (compare πότος); a current, brook or freshet (as drinkable), i.e. running water:--flood, river, stream, water.

Root Family

ποταμ- (potamós) — flowing water, river, stream

Root ποταμ- flowing water, river, stream

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4215-03 ποταμὸν potamon N ACC M SG river river river 7
G4215-01 Ποταμῷ potamo N DAT M SG river to a river river 3
G4215-02 ποταμοὶ potamoi N NOM M PL floods rivers rivers 3
G4215-04 ποταμὸς potamos N NOM M SG river river river 2
G4215-05 ποταμοῦ potamou N GEN M SG river of a river river 1
G4215-06 ποταμοὺς potamous N ACC M PL rivers rivers rivers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4215-01 Matthew 3:6 Ποταμῷ potamo N DAT M SG River to a river river
G4215-02 Matthew 7:25 ποταμοὶ potamoi N NOM M PL floods rivers rivers
G4215-02 Matthew 7:27 ποταμοὶ potamoi N NOM M PL floods rivers rivers
G4215-01 Mark 1:5 ποταμῷ potamo N DAT M SG river to a river river
G4215-04 Luke 6:48 ποταμὸς potamos N NOM M SG stream river river
G4215-04 Luke 6:49 ποταμός potamos N NOM M SG river river river
G4215-02 John 7:38 ποταμοὶ potamoi N NOM M PL rivers rivers rivers
G4215-03 Acts 16:13 ποταμὸν potamon N ACC M SG river river river
G4215-03 2 Corinthians 11:26 ποταμῶν potamon N GEN M PL of rivers river of rivers
G4215-03 Revelation 8:10 ποταμῶν potamon N GEN M PL rivers river rivers
G4215-01 Revelation 9:14 ποταμῷ potamo N DAT M SG river to a river river
G4215-03 Revelation 12:15 ποταμόν potamon N ACC M SG a river river river
G4215-03 Revelation 12:16 ποταμὸν potamon N ACC M SG river river river
G4215-06 Revelation 16:4 ποταμοὺς potamous N ACC M PL rivers rivers rivers
G4215-03 Revelation 16:12 ποταμὸν potamon N ACC M SG river river river
G4215-03 Revelation 22:1 ποταμὸν potamon N ACC M SG a river river river
G4215-05 Revelation 22:2 ποταμοῦ potamou N GEN M SG river of a river river
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