χῶρος

the north-west wind

Definition

The Greek word χῶρος (chōros) refers specifically to the north-west wind. In its single biblical occurrence, it denotes both the wind itself and the geographical direction from which it originates. This term is a technical nautical and meteorological term used to describe a specific wind direction in the ancient Mediterranean world. Its sole use in Acts 27:12 is critical for understanding the navigational decision-making in Paul's shipwreck narrative.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 27:12. It is used in a specific nautical context to describe the wind direction at the harbor of Fair Havens on Crete. The sailors, assessing that the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, decided to sail on because the wind was blowing from the north-west, which may have initially seemed favorable for their intended journey to Phoenix.

Etymology

Derived from the basic Greek word χῶρος (chōros), meaning 'place' or 'space'. In this specialized usage, it came to denote the specific 'quarter' or 'region' of the sky from which the north-west wind blows. It is a directional term, similar to how we use 'northwest' as a point on the compass.

Semantic Range

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, specific winds had names and were personified in mythology (e.g., Boreas was the north wind). For sailors, understanding wind directions was a matter of survival and critical for navigation, as ships relied primarily on sails. The mention of the 'north-west wind' (χῶρος) in Acts 27:12 is a precise, realistic detail that reflects Luke's careful reporting and the practical challenges faced by ancient mariners.

ἄνεμος (anemos, G417) — The general Greek word for 'wind', used in many contexts, while χῶρος specifies a particular directional wind. βορρᾶς (borras, G1005) — Refers to the north wind, a different specific directional wind.

Word Details

Scripture References