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θάλασσα

thálassa

G2281 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Sea; a large body of salt water. In its primary sense, θάλασσα refers to the sea or the ocean, generally signifying an expanse of water distinct from land. Contextually, it can also be used for inland seas (e.g., the Sea of Galilee), and more rarely for a large lake or body of water. In some metaphorical passages, it denotes a vast or turbulent expanse or is used symbolically.

Semantic Range

sea, the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, inland 'sea' (e.g., Sea of Galilee), large lake, ocean, vast expanse, symbol of chaos or danger

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root θαλ-; possibly related to ἅλς (hals, 'salt'), but etymology is uncertain. The term is attested from Mycenaean Greek (as da-ra-sa) and is considered pre-Greek or non-Indo-European in origin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, θάλασσα universally denotes the sea as opposed to land and is distinct from λίμνη (lake) or ποταμός (river). In the Septuagint and New Testament, θάλασσα is often used for significant bodies of water, such as the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, or the Sea of Galilee (which is technically a large lake), reflecting the Hellenistic habit of calling large inland waters 'sea.' Occasionally, it bears symbolic meaning signifying chaos, danger, or the unknown, especially in apocalyptic or poetic contexts. English translations typically render θάλασσα as 'sea,' but may not always capture the extension of its use to large lakes in the Greek world. The transition in biblical literature from the term יָם (Hebrew yam) parallels this broadened application. Its use in the New Testament and other Koine Greek differs little from classical usage, though its symbolic and metaphorical range may be heightened in apocalyptic literature (e.g., Revelation).

Translation Consistency

primary "sea" 92 occurrences

θάλασσα overwhelmingly denotes a sea or large body of water (Mediterranean, Red Sea, Sea of Galilee, large lake) and is often used metaphorically for a vast or turbulent expanse. "Sea" is the natural, common English noun that fits the full semantic range and matches the majority of existing renderings.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably prolonged from ἅλς; the sea (genitive case or specially):--sea.

Root Family

θάλασσα (thalassa) — sea, large body of salt water

Root θαλ- sea, large body of salt water

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2281-02 θάλασσαν thalassan N ACC F SG sea sea sea 43
G2281-04 θαλάσσης thalasses N GEN F SG sea of the sea of the sea 30
G2281-03 θαλάσσῃ thalasse N DAT F SG sea to the sea sea 13
G2281-01 θάλασσα thalassa N NOM F SG sea sea sea 6

Occurrences in Scripture

92 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2281-04 Matthew 4:15 θαλάσσης thalasses N GEN F SG of the sea of the sea of the sea
G2281-02 Matthew 4:18 θάλασσαν thalassan N ACC F SG sea sea sea
G2281-02 Matthew 4:18 θάλασσαν thalassan-2 N ACC F SG sea sea sea
G2281-03 Matthew 8:24 θαλάσσῃ thalasse N DAT F SG sea to the sea sea
G2281-03 Matthew 8:26 θαλάσσῃ thalasse N DAT F SG sea to the sea sea
G2281-01 Matthew 8:27 θάλασσα thalassa N NOM F SG sea sea sea
G2281-02 Matthew 8:32 θάλασσαν thalassan N ACC F SG sea sea sea
G2281-02 Matthew 13:1 θάλασσαν thalassan N ACC F SG sea sea sea
G2281-02 Matthew 13:47 θάλασσαν thalassan N ACC F SG sea sea sea
G2281-04 Matthew 14:24 θαλάσσης thalasses N GEN F SG sea of the sea of the sea
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