of uncertain affinity; red, i.e. (with θάλασσα) the Red Sea:--red.
Transliteration:erythrós
Pronunciation:er-oo-thros'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective ἐρυθρός (erythrós, `{{G2063}}`) carries the fundamental meaning of "red." As a primary color term, its semantic range is relatively straightforward, denoting the hue associated with blood, fire, and certain minerals. The base definition notes its "uncertain affinity," suggesting it is a basic, descriptive color term without complex etymological layers that might otherwise imbue it with deeper inherent meaning. Crucially, its most significant biblical usage is explicitly tied to the phrase ἐρυθρὰ θάλασσα (erythrā thalassa), meaning "Red Sea," where it functions as an identifier for a specific geographical location rather than a symbolic descriptor of color in itself.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, ἐρυθρός (erythrós, `{{G2063}}`) appears exclusively in conjunction with θάλασσα (thalassa, `{{G2281}}`) to form "Red Sea." This phrase occurs twice, both times referencing the pivotal event of the Exodus:
* In [[Acts 7:36]], Stephen, in his defense before the Sanhedrin, recounts the history of Israel, stating that Moses "led them out, having performed wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years." Here, the Red Sea is presented as a site of divine miraculous intervention and a key stage in God's deliverance of His people from Egyptian bondage. The focus is on God's mighty acts through Moses.
* [[Hebrews 11:29]] includes the crossing of the Red Sea in its great "hall of faith" chapter: "By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do the same they were drowned." This verse highlights the faith of the Israelites as the means by which they experienced God's salvation, contrasting it with the destructive end of their pursuers. The emphasis is on the active role of faith in witnessing and receiving divine deliverance.
In both instances, the word ἐρυθρός (erythrós, `{{G2063}}`) serves not to draw attention to the color "red" itself, but to identify the specific body of water central to Israel's foundational narrative of salvation and liberation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related Greek word is θάλασσα (thalassa, `{{G2281}}`), meaning "sea," which forms the complete geographical designation "Red Sea." In the Old Testament, the Hebrew equivalent for "Red Sea" is ים סוף (Yam Suph), often translated as "Reed Sea," which also refers to the same body of water and the associated Exodus event.
Beyond the direct linguistic connection, ἐρυθρός (erythrós, `{{G2063}}`) indirectly connects to a host of theological concepts and events through its association with the Red Sea crossing:
* **Deliverance and Salvation:** The Exodus from Egypt and the passage through the Red Sea are archetypal examples of God's power to save His people from oppression and death.
* **Divine Intervention:** The miraculous parting of the waters signifies God's direct and powerful involvement in human history.
* **Covenant Fulfillment:** The event is a demonstration of God's faithfulness to His promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
* **Faith:** As highlighted in Hebrews 11, the crossing required and demonstrated the faith of the Israelites in God's power and promises.
* **Judgment:** The drowning of Pharaoh's army serves as a powerful display of divine judgment against those who oppose God's will.
* **Baptism:** The Apostle Paul alludes to the Red Sea crossing as a type of baptism "into Moses" (cf. [[1 Corinthians 10:1-2]]), signifying a new beginning and identification with God's chosen leader.
While the color "red" itself can carry various symbolic meanings in other contexts (e.g., blood, sacrifice, sin, war), these broader symbolic associations are not directly applied to ἐρυθρός (erythrós, `{{G2063}}`) in its specific biblical usage. Its significance is almost entirely derived from the momentous historical event it describes.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐρυθρός (erythrós, `{{G2063}}`) is inextricably linked to its role in designating the "Red Sea," the site of one of the most profound acts of divine deliverance in biblical history. This event serves as a foundational paradigm for God's saving work.
1. **God's Omnipotence and Sovereignty:** The miraculous parting of the waters underscores God's absolute power over creation and His sovereign control over human affairs, demonstrating His ability to make a way where there is no way.
2. **Redemption and Liberation:** The crossing symbolizes liberation from bondage (Egypt representing sin or oppression) and passage into freedom, a core theme of salvation. It prefigures the greater redemption accomplished through Christ.
3. **The Necessity of Faith:** As emphasized in Hebrews 11, the Israelites' ability to cross was predicated on their faith. This highlights the ongoing theological truth that human response of faith is crucial to experiencing God's saving power.
4. **Divine Judgment:** The destruction of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea serves as a stark reminder of divine judgment against those who resist God and oppress His people.
5. **Type of Baptism:** The New Testament draws a parallel between the Red Sea crossing and Christian baptism, seeing it as a communal identification with God's saving act and a symbolic death to the old life and resurrection to a new one (cf. [[1 Corinthians 10:1-2]]).
Thus, ἐρυθρός (erythrós, `{{G2063}}`) points to a locus of profound theological meaning, not through its chromatic quality, but through its identification of a sacred space where God's saving power was spectacularly displayed.
### Summary
Erythrós (`{{G2063}}`) is a Greek adjective primarily meaning "red." In the New Testament, its usage is singularly focused on forming the phrase ἐρυθρὰ θάλασσα (Red Sea). This geographical designation is crucial as it identifies the site of one of the most significant events in Israel's history: the miraculous crossing during the Exodus. The theological weight of ἐρυθρός (erythrós, `{{G2063}}`) is therefore entirely derivative of this historical and salvific event, symbolizing divine deliverance, the power of faith, God's judgment, and a foundational act of redemption. It serves as a descriptive identifier for a location whose importance stems from the miraculous and faith-affirming events associated with it, rather than any independent symbolic meaning of the color "red" itself.
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