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αἰγιαλός

aigialós

G123 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A stretch of land at the edge of the sea, primarily a seashore or beach, sometimes specifically the strip where the water meets the land; more generally, any shoreline or sandy/maritime margin. In some contexts can refer to a coastal region or the area where waves break upon the land.

Semantic Range

beach, sea-shore, coastal margin, strand, the strip of land at the edge of the sea

Root / Etymology

From αἴσσω (to rush) and ἅλς (sea, salt), signifying the spot where the sea rushes upon the land; the precise etymological relationship is probable but not absolutely certain given variant ancient derivations. The word is formed by combining roots referring to dynamic motion (rush) and the sea.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek literature, αἰγιαλός regularly denotes the sea-shore, usually of a sandy or pebbly nature. It occurs from Homeric times, often poetically describing the boundary between land and sea, and remained current into the Koine period. In the Septuagint and New Testament, αἰγιαλός refers specifically to a shore or beach, often where boats land or nets are cast (e.g., John 21:4-9). The term does not typically denote a port, harbor, or dock, but rather the natural fringe of land at the water's edge. Standard English translations as 'shore' or 'beach' are generally accurate, but may not always convey the sense of the region where sea and land dramatically meet, as implied by the verbal root. The term is less common than related ἀκτή or παραλία, both of which may be used for coastline or seashore, but αἰγιαλός typically connotes the physical place where waves break onto the land.

Translation Consistency

primary "shore" 6 occurrences

“Shore” is the most natural, versatile English term covering seashore, beach, and coastal margin without implying sandy terrain only. It matches the typical Biblical usage for the strip where water meets land and can also refer to a coastal region, so it best fits the SILEX semantic range and the attested renderings.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from aisso (to rush) and ἅλς (in the sense of the sea); a beach (on which the waves dash):--shore.

Root Family

αἰγιαλός (aigialos) — sea-shore, beach, shoreline, coastline

Root αἰγιαλ- sea-shore, beach, shore, coastline

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G123-01 αἰγιαλὸν aigialon N ACC M SG shore sea-shore shore 6

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G123-01 Matthew 13:2 αἰγιαλὸν aigialon N ACC M SG shore sea-shore shore
G123-01 Matthew 13:48 αἰγιαλὸν aigialon N ACC M SG shore sea-shore shore
G123-01 John 21:4 αἰγιαλόν aigialon N ACC M SG shore sea-shore shore
G123-01 Acts 21:5 αἰγιαλὸν aigialon N ACC M SG shore sea-shore shore
G123-01 Acts 27:39 αἰγιαλὸν aigialon N ACC M SG beach sea-shore shore
G123-01 Acts 27:40 αἰγιαλόν aigialon N ACC M SG beach sea-shore shore
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