κόλπος (G2859) — Greek Lexicon

κόλπος

kólpos

G2859 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The front of the body between the arms, the bosom or chest; by extension, the fold or lap of a garment, in which objects may be carried or held close to the breast. Metaphorically, denotes intimate closeness or cherished relationship, such as being in someone's care or favor. Also refers, in broader Greco-Roman literature, to a bay or inlet (as a concave geographical feature) due to the shape resembling a curved bosom.

Semantic Range

bosom (front of the chest between the arms), lap or fold of a garment, place of intimacy or protection, intimate association or favor, geographical bay or inlet

Root / Etymology

Etymology uncertain. Possibly of pre-Greek origin. Not derived from a known verbal root; appears as a nominal base in Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, κόλπος most commonly refers to the hollow formed by folding one's garment across the chest — thus, both literally the bosom and the pocket or fold formed by a himation or cloak. It became a metaphor for intimate association, protection, or privilege, seen for example in phrases like 'in the bosom of Abraham' (Luke 16:22–23) and to describe close familial or affectionate relationships (cf. John 1:18; John 13:23). Septuagint and New Testament usage generally retains this metaphorical sense. In non-religious, secular Greek, and geographic contexts, refers to the shape of a bay or inlet, as in the sense of a concave coastal feature (cf. Acts 27:39). English translations usually render the term as 'bosom' in personal contexts, but this can miss the nuance of intimacy and protection implied in Greek expressions. The metaphorical sense of honor, closeness, or privileged association is context-dependent and should not be flattened to mere physical embrace. Unlike English, where 'bosom' may connote only anatomical features or poetic intimacy, Greek κόλπος has both practical (garment, pocket, lap) and relational (favored status, intimacy) meanings.

Translation Consistency

primary "bosom" 5 occurrences

‘Bosom’ is the primary, natural English equivalent in biblical contexts for κόλπος — it covers the literal chest/lap and the figurative sense of intimate closeness or protection. It is also the most frequent rendering in the P2 data and avoids the rarer geographical sense (‘bay’).

Alternatives (1 occurrence):

"bay" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary word; the bosom; by analogy, a bay:--bosom, creek.

Root Family

κολπ- (kólpos) — bosom, fold, lap, bay

Root κολπ- bosom, fold, lap, bay

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2859-03`	κόλπον	kolpon	`N ACC M SG`	bosom	bosom	bosom	4
`G2859-01`	κόλπῳ	kolpo	`N DAT M SG`	bosom	in the bosom	bosom	1
`G2859-02`	κόλποις	kolpois	`N DAT M PL`	bosom	in the bosoms	bosoms	1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2859-03`	Luke 6:38	κόλπον	kolpon	`N ACC M SG`	lap	bosom	bosom
`G2859-03`	Luke 16:22	κόλπον	kolpon	`N ACC M SG`	bosom	bosom	bosom
`G2859-02`	Luke 16:23	κόλποις	kolpois	`N DAT M PL`	bosom	in the bosoms	bosoms
`G2859-03`	John 1:18	κόλπον	kolpon	`N ACC M SG`	bosom	bosom	bosom
`G2859-01`	John 13:23	κόλπῳ	kolpo	`N DAT M SG`	bosom	in the bosom	bosom
`G2859-03`	Acts 27:39	κόλπον	kolpon	`N ACC M SG`	bay	bosom	bay

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