Bible Word Study
πλημμύρα
plēmmyra · a flood
πλημμύρα
a flood
Definition
πλημμύρα refers to a flood, specifically a river flood or inundation of water. In the New Testament, it describes a violent, overflowing torrent that can cause significant destruction. This term is used in Luke 6:48 to illustrate the force of a flood striking a house built on a solid foundation, contrasting it with one built on sand. While the word can denote any overwhelming deluge, in its biblical context, it emphasizes sudden, powerful, and potentially catastrophic water flow.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 6:48. It is used in a parable by Jesus to describe a flood that tests the foundation of a house, symbolizing trials or judgments that test one's spiritual life. The context is metaphorical, comparing the flood to the storms of life that reveal the strength or weakness of one's faith based on obedience to Jesus' teachings.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek verb πλήμμυρα (plēmmyra), meaning 'to flow' or 'to flood,' it is related to πλήθω (plēthō, 'to fill') and πλήρης (plērēs, 'full'). The root idea is of something being filled to overflowing, leading to an inundation. Cognates include πλημμυρίς (plēmmyris), another term for flood or high tide, emphasizing the concept of abundance or excess of water.
Semantic Range
In Luke 6:48, πλημμύρα is theologically significant as it represents the trials, temptations, or divine judgments that test the foundation of a believer's life. Jesus uses it to teach that hearing and obeying His words provides a rock-solid foundation able to withstand life's floods. This enriches Bible reading by highlighting the importance of spiritual preparedness and the contrast between true and false discipleship in the face of adversity. In ancient Mediterranean cultures, floods were common natural disasters, especially near rivers, and were often seen as symbols of chaos, divine judgment, or uncontrollable forces. Jesus' audience would have readily understood the destructive power of a flood, making this a vivid metaphor for sudden calamity. Unlike modern flood control, ancient societies had limited defenses, so the imagery conveyed inevitable and overwhelming impact. κατακλυσμός (kataklysmos, G2627) — a cataclysmic flood or deluge, often used for the Noahic flood; ποταμοφόρητος (potamophorētos, G4215) — carried away by a river, emphasizing being swept away by floodwaters.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). Concordance and morphology data are derived from the interlinear Bible.
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]