### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word κῆτος (kētos), Strong's number `{{G2785}}`, denotes a "huge fish" or "sea monster." Its etymological root is likely connected to the concept of a "gaping" mouth or a "chasm" (χάσμα), suggesting an creature of immense size and formidable appearance, capable of swallowing or engulfing. While often translated "whale" in English, particularly in the context of the Jonah narrative, the term itself is broader, referring to any colossal aquatic beast, not necessarily a specific biological species of whale. The emphasis lies on its extraordinary dimensions and formidable nature, distinguishing it from common fish.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, κῆτος appears only once, in [[Matthew 12:40]]: "For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." This usage directly references the Septuagint (LXX) translation of the Old Testament Book of Jonah. In the Hebrew text of Jonah 1:17 (2:1 in English Bibles), the phrase is דָּג גָּדוֹל (dag gadol), meaning "great fish." The LXX translators rendered this Hebrew phrase using κῆτος, establishing its association with the divinely appointed creature that swallowed Jonah. Thus, in [[Matthew 12:40]], κῆτος functions as a direct theological and narrative link to the Old Testament account, underscoring the miraculous and supernatural nature of Jonah's experience as a prefigurement of Christ's burial and resurrection.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related concept is the Hebrew דָּג גָּדוֹל (dag gadol), "great fish," from the Book of Jonah, which κῆτος translates in the LXX. This highlights the intertextual connection between the Old and New Testaments. Broader Old Testament imagery of powerful sea creatures, such as תַּנִּין (tannin, `{{H8565}}`, often translated "dragon," "serpent," or "sea monster"), which includes mythical beasts like Leviathan or Rahab, sometimes represent chaotic forces or divine judgment. While κῆτος does not directly equate to these mythical figures, it shares the conceptual space of immense, awe-inspiring, and potentially fearsome creatures of the deep, over which God alone has ultimate sovereignty. The concept of "the deep" or תְּהוֹם (tehom, `{{H8415}}`) is also related, as it is the domain where such creatures dwell, often associated with primeval chaos subdued by divine order.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κῆτος in the New Testament is almost exclusively typological. In [[Matthew 12:40]], the "great fish" that swallowed Jonah serves as a powerful type, or prophetic foreshadowing, of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Just as Jonah was miraculously preserved and delivered from the belly of the κῆτος after three days and three nights, so too would the Son of Man be in the "heart of the earth" for a similar period before His triumphant resurrection. This demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation, even its most formidable and seemingly destructive elements, turning them into instruments of His divine plan for salvation. The κῆτος is not merely a large animal but a divinely commissioned agent, highlighting God's power to deliver from the depths of death and despair. It underscores the theme of divine intervention and miraculous preservation.
### Summary
κῆτος (kētos, `{{G2785}}`) refers to an immense sea creature, a "great fish" or "sea monster," emphasizing its colossal size and capacity for engulfment. Its singular appearance in the New Testament in [[Matthew 12:40]] directly links it to the Septuagint translation of the "great fish" in the Book of Jonah. Theologically, the κῆτος serves as a crucial typological figure, prefiguring Christ's three days and nights in the tomb before His resurrection. It powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over all creation, even the most formidable beasts, using them as instruments to fulfill His redemptive purposes and demonstrate His power over death and the grave.
TRV