παραθαλάσσιος

by the sea

Definition

The adjective παραθαλάσσιος means 'by the sea,' 'beside the sea,' or 'coastal.' It describes a location situated directly adjacent to a large body of water, specifically the sea. In its single biblical occurrence in Matthew 4:13, it is used geographically to specify the town of Capernaum's position on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The term carries no extended metaphorical meaning in the New Testament; its usage is strictly literal and descriptive of physical setting.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 4:13, where it describes the location of Capernaum: 'and leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea.' Its usage is purely geographical, serving to pinpoint the town's setting on the coast of the Sea of Galilee. There are no patterns of usage across different books or contexts, as it is a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once).

Etymology

The word is a compound adjective derived from the preposition παρά (para, G3844), meaning 'beside,' 'alongside,' or 'near,' combined with θαλάσσιος (thalassios), an adjective meaning 'of the sea' or 'maritime,' which itself comes from the noun θάλασσα (thalassa, G2281), meaning 'sea.' Thus, it literally means 'beside-the-sea.'

Semantic Range

In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, a 'parathalassios' location like Capernaum was significant for trade, fishing, and transportation. The Sea of Galilee was a hub of activity, and a town situated on its shore would have been a center of commerce and industry. This contrasts with a modern, perhaps more recreational, view of a 'seaside' town. For Jesus, choosing Capernaum as a base of operations placed him in a strategically important and populous area for his ministry.

παράλιος (paralios, G3882) — Also means 'by the sea' or 'coastal,' but can imply a shoreline or beach more specifically; used in secular Greek literature.

Word Details

Scripture References