from ἐν and ἅλς; in the sea, i.e. marine:--thing in the sea.
Transliteration:enálios
Pronunciation:en-al'-ee-os
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word G1724 (ἐνάλιος, *enálos*) is a compound adjective derived from the preposition `{{G1722}}` (ἐν, *en*), meaning "in," and the noun `{{G251}}` (ἅλς, *hals*), which can mean "salt" but in this context refers to the "sea." Therefore, the core meaning of enálos is "in the sea" or "belonging to the sea." Its semantic range is quite narrow, primarily functioning as a descriptor for anything that inhabits or is characteristic of the marine environment. It denotes a creature or object's direct relationship with the aquatic realm.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G1724 (ἐνάλιος, *enálos*) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Epistle of James.
* **[[James 3:7]]**: "For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and things in the sea (ἐνάλιος), is tamed and has been tamed by mankind."
In this solitary occurrence, enálos is used substantively, referring collectively to "marine creatures" or "sea creatures." James employs this word as part of a comprehensive list encompassing various categories of the animal kingdom (land animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures). The purpose of this enumeration is to underscore the remarkable human capacity for dominion and control over the natural world. James contrasts this human ability to tame even the most wild and elusive creatures, including those inhabiting the vastness of the sea, with the inherent untamable nature of the human tongue. The word itself is purely descriptive, serving to complete the categorization of created beings subject to human influence.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymology of G1724 directly links it to:
* `{{G1722}}` (ἐν, *en*): The preposition "in," indicating location or state.
* `{{G251}}` (ἅλς, *hals*): The noun for "salt" or "sea."
Another highly relevant word is `{{G2281}}` (θάλασσα, *thalassa*), which is the more common and general Greek term for "sea" or "lake." While thalassa refers to the body of water itself, enálos describes something *within* or *of* that body of water.
Conceptually, enálos relates to:
* **Creation**: It points to the diverse and vast scope of God's created order, which includes the creatures of the deep.
* **Dominion**: Its usage in James highlights the theme of human authority over creation, echoing the mandate given in [[Genesis 1:28]] for humanity to have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves on the earth.
* **Categorization**: The word functions as a taxonomic descriptor, grouping a specific class of living beings.
### Theological Significance
Due to its singular and largely descriptive occurrence, G1724 (ἐνάλιος, *enálos*) does not carry extensive theological weight on its own. However, its presence, even in a single verse, contributes to broader biblical themes:
1. **Divine Order and Creation**: The existence of distinct categories of creatures, including those "in the sea," reflects the meticulous and orderly nature of God's creative work. It testifies to the vastness, diversity, and complexity of the world that God brought into being.
2. **Humanity's Unique Place**: The context in [[James 3:7]] is crucial. By including "things in the sea" alongside other wild creatures that humanity has tamed, James implicitly reaffirms the unique position of humankind in the created order. This capacity for dominion, even over the most elusive marine life, underscores the special authority and responsibility bestowed upon humanity by the Creator.
3. **Contrast with the Tongue**: The immediate theological significance in James's argument is to highlight the paradox that while humans can master the external world, including the wild creatures of the sea, they struggle profoundly to control their own tongues. This serves as a powerful illustration of the tongue's destructive potential and the need for divine wisdom and self-control.
### Summary
The Greek word G1724 (ἐνάλιος, *enálos*) literally means "in the sea" or "marine." It is a precise descriptor for creatures or things belonging to the aquatic environment. Its sole appearance in the New Testament is in [[James 3:7]], where it refers to "things in the sea" or "marine creatures" as part of a comprehensive list of animals that humanity has been able to tame. While enálos itself is a descriptive term with limited direct theological profundity, its context in James's epistle serves to underscore the breadth of human dominion over creation, including the mysterious marine world. This mastery over the external world is then starkly contrasted with the untamable nature of the human tongue, providing a powerful theological point about self-control and the destructive potential of uncontrolled speech. The word implicitly points to the vastness and orderly design of God's creation.
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