κῦμα
a wave
Definition
κῦμα refers to a wave, surge, or billow of water, particularly the large, swelling waves of the sea. In the New Testament, it consistently depicts literal, often violent, waves that threaten ships and sailors, as seen in the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 8:24, Mark 4:37) and the shipwreck of Acts 27:41. In a metaphorical sense, Jude 1:13 uses it to describe false teachers as 'wild waves of the sea,' emphasizing their restless, chaotic, and shameful behavior.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in narrative contexts describing peril at sea. It appears in the Synoptic Gospels' accounts of Jesus calming the storm (Matthew 8:24, Mark 4:37, and implied in the parallel of Luke 8:24), in Matthew's account of the disciples' boat being battered by waves (Matthew 14:24), and in the historical narrative of Paul's shipwreck (Acts 27:41). The sole non-literal usage is Jude's metaphorical application to immoral false teachers (Jude 1:13).
Etymology
Derived from the Greek verb κύω (kyō), meaning 'to swell' or 'to be pregnant.' The noun κῦμα thus fundamentally means 'a swelling,' which naturally extended to the swelling motion of sea waves. This root connection highlights the inherent power and burgeoning nature of a wave.
Semantic Range
κῦμα is theologically significant as it often appears in narratives demonstrating Jesus' divine authority over creation, as he rebukes the threatening waves (Matthew 8:26). This directly points to his identity as the Lord of creation. In Jude 1:13, the metaphor underscores the destructive, unstable, and fruitless nature of apostasy, contrasting the disorder of false teaching with the order and peace found in Christ.
For people in the ancient Mediterranean world, the sea and its waves represented a primal force of chaos, danger, and the unknown. Travel by sea was perilous, and storms were deeply feared. This cultural understanding amplifies the miracle stories where Jesus subdues the waves, showcasing his mastery over the chaotic forces that terrified his contemporaries.
κλύδων (klydōn, G2830) — a surge, wave, or raging water, often used interchangeably with κῦμα but can imply a more tumultuous, boisterous swell (as in Luke 8:24).
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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