σάλος
sálos
G4535 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A motion of shaking or swaying; specifically, the motion of the sea as it is agitated or thrown into commotion. In extended usage, can refer metaphorically to disturbance or turmoil, particularly in physical but occasionally also in figurative contexts. Primary usage is with reference to the movement of the sea's waves, especially when caused by wind or storm.
Semantic Range
agitation (of the sea), surge, billow, wave (as a mass of agitated water), commotion, disturbance (mainly physical, occasionally figurative)
Root / Etymology
Probably related to the base of σαίνω (to wag, move to and fro), but the precise etymological pathway is uncertain. The word appears to be of imitative or descriptive origin, with parallels in similar words meaning to shake or toss. Some lexica suggest connection to non-Indo-European substrate vocabulary for sea motion, but this is not firmly established.
Historical & Contextual Notes
First attested in later Classical and Hellenistic Greek, σάλος is a rare word, specialized for describing the agitated movement of the sea, especially in storm or strong winds. In the New Testament (Luke 21:25), it refers specifically to the rolling, surging motion of the sea, with implications of danger or overwhelming force. LXX usage is sparse but consistent with this physical sense of tumult or strong disturbance, often as a sign of cosmic upheaval. The standard English translation as 'wave' can be misleading, as σάλος denotes the agitation or surge of the whole body of water, not an individual crest ('κύμα'). The term is distinct from κύμα, which refers to a single wave, and ζάλη, which also means disturbance mainly of weather, but with broader metaphorical use. σάλος tends not to appear in Classical Attic Greek but is more common in later and non-literary sources, as well as in maritime contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from the base of σαίνω; a vibration, i.e. (specially), billow:--wave.
Root Family
σάλος (salos) — shaking, agitation, surge, billow, disturbance
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4535-01 |
σάλου | salou | N GEN M SG |
waves | of the surge | of the surge | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4535-01 |
Luke 21:25 | σάλου | salou | N GEN M SG |
waves | of the surge | of the surge |