### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **kínēsis**, represented by `{{G2796}}`, is defined as **a stirring** or **moving**. It is a highly specific term, appearing just **1 time** in **1 unique verse** within the biblical text. Its meaning is tied directly to the physical action of something being put into motion.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single use of `{{G2796}}` occurs in the narrative of [[John 5:3]]. Here, a great **multitude** `{{G4128}}` of people with various ailments—described as impotent, blind, halt, and withered—are gathered together. They are positioned in one place, "waiting for the **moving** of the water" [[John 5:3]]. In this context, `{{G2796}}` is the specific event that the suffering crowd anticipates, believing it holds the potential for their healing. The term captures the sense of expectant hope focused on a physical disturbance in the water.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its sole context help to clarify the meaning of `{{G2796}}`:
* `{{G1551}}` **ekdéchomai** (waiting for): This word, meaning **to await**, describes the posture of the crowd. Their waiting is not passive but an active expectation for the "moving," as seen when others wait for the Lord's coming [[James 5:7]] or for God's promised city [[Hebrews 11:10]].
* `{{G5204}}` **hýdōr** (water): This is the object of the "moving." Defined as **water**, it is often used figuratively for spiritual life [[John 7:38]] and cleansing [[Hebrews 10:22]], adding symbolic weight to the event.
* `{{G4128}}` **plēthos** (multitude): Meaning **a large number, throng, populace**, this word establishes the scale of the scene. The hope pinned on the **moving** `{{G2796}}` of the water was shared by a vast company of people [[John 5:3]].
### Theological Significance
While rare, the theological significance of `{{G2796}}` is derived entirely from its setting.
* **Hope in Divine Intervention:** The "moving" represents a moment of anticipated supernatural action. The crowd is **waiting for** `{{G1551}}` this stirring as their source of deliverance, reflecting a broader human hope for an act of God in the midst of suffering.
* **A Catalyst for Healing:** The event described by `{{G2796}}` is the trigger for the healing the **impotent folk** `{{G770}}`, **blind** `{{G5185}}`, **halt** `{{G5560}}`, and **withered** `{{G3584}}` desperately seek. It establishes a clear connection between a physical phenomenon and the hope of restoration.
* **The Activation of Water's Symbolism:** In scripture, **water** `{{G5204}}` is a powerful symbol of life and purification [[John 3:5]]. The **moving** `{{G2796}}` can be seen as the activation of these properties, turning still water into a source of miraculous power.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G2796}}` is a precise term used once to denote a **stirring** or **moving**. Its importance is not in its frequency but in its powerful context within [[John 5:3]]. It serves as the focal point for a multitude of suffering people, representing their collective hope in a moment of divine intervention that could bring about healing. The word captures the anticipation that precedes a miracle, setting the stage for a profound demonstration of power.
TRV