apparently from a form of θεάομαι; wonder (properly concrete; but by implication, abstract):--admiration.
Transliteration:thaûma
Pronunciation:thos'-mah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun θαῦμα (thaûma, `{{G2295}}`) derives from a form of θεάομαι (theaomai, `{{G2329}}`), meaning "to behold" or "to gaze upon." This etymological connection underscores that θαῦμα is inherently linked to the act of seeing or perceiving something remarkable. Its primary sense is "wonder," initially referring to the concrete *object* that causes astonishment. By implication, it also denotes the abstract *feeling* of wonder, amazement, or awe. The English rendering "admiration" captures a specific facet of this semantic range, emphasizing a positive, often reverential, aspect of wonder. The word encompasses a spectrum of emotional and intellectual responses, from simple surprise to profound awe and even a sense of bewildered astonishment in the face of the extraordinary or divine.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The noun θαῦμα (thaûma, `{{G2295}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, making its single occurrence particularly weighty.
* In [[Revelation 17:6]], John the Seer recounts, "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration." The phrase "wondered with great admiration" translates ἐθαύμασα θαῦμα μέγα (ethaumasai thaûma mega), literally "I marveled a great marvel" or "I wondered a great wonder." Here, John's θαῦμα is a profound, almost overwhelming, reaction to the shocking and disturbing vision of the great harlot, Babylon. It is not necessarily an admiration of her actions, but rather an intense astonishment and bewilderment at the mystery she embodies and the horror she represents. This instance demonstrates that θαῦμα can encapsulate a powerful emotional and intellectual engagement with a divinely revealed truth, even when that truth is unsettling or horrific, signifying a profound recognition of something beyond ordinary comprehension.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of θαῦμα (thaûma, `{{G2295}}`) is enriched by its relationship with other Greek terms:
* **θεάομαι (theaomai, `{{G2329}}`):** The root verb, meaning "to behold" or "to gaze upon," highlights the visual and perceptual origin of wonder. One *sees* something extraordinary, which then elicits θαῦμα.
* **θαυμάζω (thaumazō, `{{G2296}}`):** This is the verbal form of θαῦμα, meaning "to wonder," "to marvel," or "to be amazed." It is a much more frequently used word in the New Testament, often describing the common human reaction to Jesus' miracles, teachings, and divine authority (e.g., [[Matthew 8:27]], [[Mark 6:51]], [[Luke 7:9]], [[John 3:7]]). θαῦμα is the noun, representing the *result* or *object* of the act of marveling.
* **ἔκστασις (ekstasis, `{{G1611}}`):** Meaning "amazement," "trance," or "ecstasy," this term often describes a state of being "out of oneself" due to overwhelming emotion or a supernatural encounter (e.g., [[Mark 5:42]], [[Luke 5:26]], [[Acts 3:10]]). While both θαῦμα and ἔκστασις denote profound emotional responses, θαῦμα tends to focus more on the *object* causing the wonder or the *feeling* itself, whereas ἔκστασις describes the *state* of being overwhelmed.
* **φόβος (phobos, `{{G5401}}`):** While primarily meaning "fear," φόβος can also convey "awe" or "reverence," particularly in the context of the divine ("fear of the Lord"). θαῦμα typically denotes astonishment or admiration, but a profound θαῦμα in the presence of divine power or mystery can certainly lead to φόβος, a reverential dread.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of θαῦμα (thaûma, `{{G2295}}`) in [[Revelation 17:6]] carries significant theological weight. John's "great wonder" (θαῦμα μέγα) is a response to a divinely revealed mystery, the "mystery of the great harlot." This demonstrates that θαῦμα is not exclusively evoked by spectacles of God's power or goodness, but also by the profound and sometimes disturbing mysteries of divine judgment and human rebellion. It signifies a deep, almost overwhelming, emotional and intellectual engagement with the revealed truth, even when that truth is unsettling or grievous.
More broadly, the concept of "wonder" or "awe," often expressed through the related verb θαυμάζω (to marvel), is a recurring human response to God's actions and presence throughout Scripture. It underscores the recognition of something extraordinary, beyond human comprehension or natural explanation. This response can lead to worship, fear, and a deeper understanding of divine sovereignty. In the context of Revelation, John's θαῦμα is part of his prophetic experience, highlighting the profound impact of divine revelation on the human spirit, compelling a deep emotional and cognitive reaction to the unveiled mysteries of God's plan, whether glorious or terrifying.
### Summary
θαῦμα (thaûma, `{{G2295}}`) signifies "wonder" or "admiration," rooted in the act of beholding something extraordinary. It can denote both the object eliciting astonishment and the profound feeling of amazement itself. Its solitary New Testament occurrence in [[Revelation 17:6]] is highly illustrative, describing John's intense θαῦμα μέγα (great wonder) at the vision of the great harlot. This context reveals that θαῦμα encompasses a powerful, even overwhelming, emotional and intellectual response to divinely revealed mysteries, whether they evoke admiration or profound bewilderment. Distinguished from the more active verb θαυμάζω (to marvel) and the state of ἔκστασις (ecstasy), θαῦμα captures a moment of profound recognition and emotional impact in the face of the supernatural, pointing to a deep human engagement with realities that transcend the ordinary.
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