τυφωνικός
typhōnikós
G5189 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Relating to a violent or raging storm; characterized by attributes of a tempest or whirlwind. In Koine Greek contexts, refers specifically to conditions that are stormy or tempestuous, carrying the sense of intense, destructive, or overwhelming natural force.
Semantic Range
stormy, tempestuous, of or relating to a whirlwind, of hurricane intensity, characterized by violent wind
Root / Etymology
From τυφών (typhōn), meaning 'whirlwind' or 'violent storm,' itself from the verb τύφω (to smoke, emit smoke or vapor), possibly through the idea of swirling or churning air that resembles smoke. The adjective suffix -ικός forms words denoting relating to or characterized by.
Historical & Contextual Notes
τυφωνικός is a rare word in Greek, notably attested in the New Testament at Acts 27:14 describing a violent wind storm at sea ('τυφωνικὸς ἄνεμος'). In classical and Hellenistic usage, τυφών denotes a violent, swirling storm or hurricane (sometimes used for a destructive wind or whirlwind more broadly), while τυφωνικός functions as its qualitative adjective. The word does not carry metaphorical or figurative meanings in extant Koine sources and is consistently used in meteorological contexts. English translations often render τυφωνικός as 'tempestuous' or 'violent,' but might not fully convey the sense of swirling, forceful, storm-related phenomena implied by the Greek. The root concept relates more closely to the physical phenomena of a typhoon, whirlwind, or hurricane than a generic 'storm.' Its rarity suggests it was specialized or reserved for particularly violent natural storms. Not attested in the Septuagint.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a derivative of τύφω; stormy (as if smoky):--tempestuous.
Root Family
τυφων- (typhōnikós) — whirlwind, violent storm, hurricane
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5189-01 |
τυφωνικὸς | tuphonikos | ADJ.A NOM M SG |
tempestuous | whirlwind-stormy | tempestuous | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5189-01 |
Acts 27:14 | τυφωνικὸς | tuphonikos | ADJ.A NOM M SG |
tempestuous | whirlwind-stormy | tempestuous |