χείμαῤῥος
cheímarrhos
G5493 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A watercourse that flows vigorously during periods of heavy rain or in winter, often dry in summer; a seasonal torrent or stream. The term typically refers to a streambed or ravine that carries water temporarily, especially as a result of storm runoff or winter precipitation.
Semantic Range
winter stream, seasonal torrent, stormwater brook, wadi, ravine with intermittent flow, gully; (metaphorically) a sudden or forceful outflow
Root / Etymology
From χειμών (cheimōn, 'winter, storm') + ῥέω (rheō, 'to flow'). The compound denotes something that flows (rheō) in winter or during storms (cheimōn). No evidence of borrowing; entirely of Greek formation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, χείμαρρος and its variant spellings denote a seasonal torrent or watercourse that flows mainly during the rainy season or after heavy storms. It contrasts with ποταμός (potamos), which means a permanent river or stream. In the Septuagint and New Testament, χείμαρρος is used to translate Hebrew נחל (naḥal), denoting a wadi or ravine prone to flash flooding—water is present only in the wet season, so these valleys can appear dry most of the year. English translations sometimes render this as 'brook,' but this can misleadingly suggest a perennial, gentle stream; 'seasonal torrent,' 'winter stream,' or 'wadi' better capture the sense in Greek context. The word is rare in the New Testament but appears in descriptions of landscape or as metaphor for sudden, forceful flow. Its use underscores the impermanent, often dangerous nature of such watercourses, especially in the eastern Mediterranean climate.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the base of χειμών and ῥέω; a storm-runlet, i.e. winter-torrent:--brook.
Root Family
χείμαῤῥος (cheimarrhos) — winter flow, storm stream, seasonal torrent
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5493-01 |
χειμάρρου | cheimarrou | N GEN M SG |
brook | of a winter torrent | brook | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5493-01 |
John 18:1 | χειμάρρου | cheimarrou | N GEN M SG |
brook | of a winter torrent | brook |