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παραχειμασία

paracheimasía

G3915 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The act or period of spending the winter, especially the act of remaining at a place during the winter due to travel constraints. Semantically, it denotes an extended period of staying in a location through the winter season, either by necessity (e.g., because of impassable weather or hazards to travel) or by choice.

Semantic Range

the act of wintering, the period of winter spent in a specific place, overwintering, passing the winter at a locality (esp. port or settlement)

Root / Etymology

Derived from παραχειμάζω (paracheimazō, 'to spend the winter'), itself from παρά ('beside, at, during') and χειμών ('winter, stormy weather'). The suffix -ία forms a noun indicating the act or process.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Koine Greek, particularly in Hellenistic, Roman, and New Testament contexts, παραχειμασία is used for the concept of overwintering or wintering—a period when travel, especially by sea, would cease due to dangerous weather conditions. Its usage in the New Testament (Acts 27:12) refers specifically to ships and crews remaining in harbor for the winter. In classical Greek, the related verb παραχειμάζω is attested from at least the Hellenistic period, and the noun usage is rare but fits typical Greek patterns of forming nouns for seasonal activities. English translations usually render it 'wintering' or 'to winter in,' adequately reflecting the main sense, although sometimes lose the nuance of remaining in one place due to external constraints. The term parallels the Latin 'hibernatio,' and reflects the practical realities of Mediterranean travel.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παραχειμάζω; a wintering over:--winter in.

Root Family

παραχειμασία (paracheimasía) — winter, storm season, spending the winter, overwintering

Root χειμ- winter, storm, cold season

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3915-01 παραχειμασίαν paracheimasian N ACC F SG wintering wintering period wintering period 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3915-01 Acts 27:12 παραχειμασίαν paracheimasian N ACC F SG wintering wintering period wintering period
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