Both θάλασσα and πέλαγος are used in the Greek New Testament to describe large bodies of water. While they are often translated simply as “sea,” each word carries a distinct nuance and usage pattern. This article explores their lexical origins, New Testament usage, and theological symbolism in light of Jewish and Greco-Roman maritime thought.
Lexical Definitions and Etymology
- θάλασσα – The most common word for “sea” in the New Testament. It refers to large bodies of water such as oceans, lakes (e.g., the Sea of Galilee), or metaphorical seas. Rooted in everyday Koine Greek, it corresponds to both geographical and symbolic “seas.”
- πέλαγος – A poetic or elevated term for the “open sea” or “deep sea.” Less common in everyday speech, it suggests vastness, depth, and danger. In classical literature, it often connoted the vast, boundless ocean far from shore.
θάλασσα in the New Testament: The Familiar Sea
θάλασσα appears over 90 times in the New Testament, making it the standard term for “sea” or “lake.” It is used in both literal and figurative contexts:
- Mark 4:39: “He rebuked the wind and said to the θάλασσαν, ‘Peace, be still!’”
- Matthew 8:24: “A great storm arose on the θάλασσῃ…”
- Revelation 21:1: “…and the θάλασσα was no more.”
In Jewish thought, the sea (θάλασσα) often symbolized chaos, danger, and the forces opposed to God. Jesus’ control over the sea demonstrated His divine authority over chaos itself. In Revelation, the disappearance of the sea represents the removal of cosmic disorder in the new creation.
πέλαγος in the New Testament: The Deep, Open Sea
πέλαγος appears only once in the New Testament—in Acts 27:5, during Paul’s shipwreck narrative:
“…διελθόντες τὸ πέλαγος τῆς Κιλικίας καὶ Παμφυλίας…”
“…when we had sailed through the open sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia…”
Here, πέλαγος refers to the open, unprotected waters of the Mediterranean. It evokes a sense of distance from land, uncertainty, and exposure to the elements. This aligns with its classical Greek usage in Homer and later poets, where πέλαγος represented the wild and unknowable vastness of the sea.
Semantic and Theological Comparison
| Word | Meaning | Frequency | Connotation | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| θάλασσα | Sea, large body of water | 90+ times | Common, geographic, symbolic (chaos) | Gospels, Revelation, miracles, judgment |
| πέλαγος | Open sea, deep sea | 1 time | Poetic, vast, dangerous | Acts 27:5 – Paul’s voyage and peril |
The Sea as Symbol: Chaos, Judgment, and Sovereignty
In biblical imagery, the sea is more than geography. θάλασσα symbolizes the realm of chaos, the unknown, and forces hostile to life. Jesus’ calming of the sea displays His dominion over creation. The final statement in Revelation—“the sea was no more”—is eschatological: chaos has been exiled forever.
πέλαγος, used sparingly, magnifies danger and depth. In Acts 27, it foreshadows divine rescue amid human helplessness. While θάλασσα represents the known battleground of God and chaos, πέλαγος stands for the unfathomable expanse in which only divine providence sustains the faithful.
