### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun θάλασσα (thálassa), transliterated as "thálassa," primarily denotes "the sea" or any large body of water. Its etymological root is likely connected to ἅλς (hals), meaning "salt" or "sea," underscoring its fundamental reference to saltwater bodies. In its most straightforward sense, θάλασσα refers to the physical oceans, seas, or large lakes, such as the Mediterranean Sea or the Sea of Galilee. Beyond this literal denotation, its semantic range extends to encompass symbolic and metaphorical meanings within biblical literature. It can represent the vastness and mystery of the deep, the source of life and sustenance, or conversely, a realm of chaos, danger, and separation. In apocalyptic contexts, it often symbolizes the tumultuous nations of the world or the realm from which evil arises, contrasting sharply with the ordered land.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term θάλασσα appears frequently in the New Testament, serving various purposes.
Literally, it refers to specific bodies of water:
* The Sea of Galilee, often called "the sea" ([[Matthew 4:18]], [[Mark 1:16]], [[John 6:1]]) where Jesus called His first disciples, taught, and performed miracles like calming the storm ([[Mark 4:39]]) and walking on the water ([[Matthew 14:25]]). These narratives highlight Christ's divine authority over creation.
* The Mediterranean Sea, referred to as "the sea" in various travel narratives, such as Paul's voyages ([[Acts 10:6]], [[Acts 27:41]]).
* The Red Sea, referenced in historical accounts of the Exodus ([[Acts 7:36]], [[Hebrews 11:29]]).
Symbolically, θάλασσα takes on profound theological weight, particularly in the book of Revelation:
* It serves as the origin point for the beast in [[Revelation 13:1]], symbolizing the chaotic, ungodly powers that rise from the tumultuous "sea" of humanity or the world's systems opposing God.
* In [[Revelation 20:13]], the sea gives up its dead for judgment, indicating its role as a vast repository for all who have perished, and underscoring God's universal sovereignty even over the depths.
* Most significantly, in the vision of the new heavens and new earth, it is declared, "the sea was no more" ([[Revelation 21:1]]). This is a powerful eschatological statement. Given the ancient world's perception of the sea as a place of danger, chaos, and separation, its absence in the new creation signifies the complete eradication of all disorder, threat, and division, ushering in an era of perfect peace, order, and unobstructed communion with God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "sea" in the New Testament is often understood in relation to other significant biblical terms and themes.
* **Hebrew Equivalents:** The primary Hebrew equivalent is `{{H3220}}` (yām), which also denotes "sea," "lake," or "ocean." This connection is vital for understanding the Old Testament background of the New Testament's use of θάλασσα, particularly in passages referencing the Red Sea crossing or creation accounts.
* **`{{H7225}}` (rab):** While meaning "much" or "great," it is often used in Hebrew to describe vast bodies of water, linking to the concept of the "great deep" or "many waters."
* **`{{G1092}}` (gē):** "Earth" or "land," frequently contrasted with θάλασσα. This contrast highlights the distinction between stable, ordered ground and the often turbulent or mysterious sea.
* **`{{G5207}}` (hydōr):** "Water," the fundamental element of which the sea is composed. While θάλασσα refers to the body of water, hydōr refers to the substance itself.
* **Creation and Chaos:** The sea is intrinsically linked to the biblical narrative of creation, where God brings order out of primeval waters ([[Genesis 1:2]]). This theme resonates in the New Testament, where Christ's power over the sea demonstrates His divine authority to subdue chaos.
* **Judgment and Deliverance:** The sea features prominently in narratives of divine judgment (e.g., the Flood) and miraculous deliverance (e.g., the Exodus from Egypt through the Red Sea).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of θάλασσα is multifaceted and profound.
1. **Divine Sovereignty:** The sea, often perceived by ancient peoples as a powerful and unpredictable force, serves as a canvas for demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty. From the parting of the Red Sea in the Old Testament to Jesus calming the storm and walking on the water in the New Testament, the Lord's dominion over the θάλασσα unequivocally points to His omnipotence and control over all creation.
2. **Symbol of Chaos and Opposition:** In prophetic and apocalyptic literature, particularly Revelation, the sea often symbolizes the ungodly nations, the restless and tumultuous world, or the source from which evil and opposition to God emerge. Its depths can represent the unknown, the dangerous, and the realm of separation from God's ordered creation.
3. **Boundary and Separation:** Geographically, the sea acted as a natural barrier, separating lands and peoples. Theologically, it could symbolize spiritual separation or distance from God's presence.
4. **Eschatological Hope:** The declaration in [[Revelation 21:1]] that "the sea was no more" is a powerful symbol of ultimate redemption and the consummation of God's redemptive plan. It signifies the complete eradication of all sources of chaos, danger, separation, and ungodliness. In the new creation, there will be perfect peace, order, and unobstructed fellowship with God, free from any element that symbolizes disruption or alienation. This vision offers immense hope for a future where all things are made new and perfectly aligned with divine will.
### Summary
The Greek word θάλασσα (thálassa) primarily denotes "the sea" in a literal sense, referring to specific bodies of water like the Sea of Galilee or the Mediterranean. However, its significance extends far beyond a mere geographical marker. Theologically, θάλασσα serves as a powerful symbol of divine sovereignty, as demonstrated by God's and Christ's power to control its tumultuous nature. It also represents the chaos, danger, and separation inherent in the fallen world or the restless nations opposed to God. Ultimately, its most profound theological meaning is revealed in the eschatological vision of a new creation where "the sea was no more," signifying the complete and final removal of all disorder, threat, and alienation, ushering in an era of perfect peace, order, and unhindered communion with God.
TRV