### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun κολυμβήθρα (kolymbḗthra, `{{G2861}}`) is derived from the verb κολυμβάω (kolymbáō, `{{G2860}}`), meaning "to dive" or "to swim." Consequently, κολυμβήθρα denotes a "diving-place" or a "swimming-place." In its biblical usage, it specifically refers to a "pool" or "bath," a body of water designed for bathing, washing, or therapeutic purposes. The term carries the primary semantic range of an artificial or semi-artificial basin of water, distinct from a natural lake or river, intended for human interaction with the water.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
κολυμβήθρα appears exclusively in the Gospel of John, where it is used to designate two significant locations: the Pool of Bethesda and the Pool of Siloam.
* **The Pool of Bethesda:** Mentioned five times in [[John 5:2-7]], this pool in Jerusalem was renowned for its supposed healing properties when its waters were "stirred." The narrative describes a large gathering of infirm people, including a man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years. The κολυμβήθρα here serves as a poignant backdrop for human helplessness and the limitations of physical remedies. Jesus' interaction with the paralytic (who complains about lacking someone to put him into the κολυμβήθρα) highlights that true healing originates not from the stirred water but from the sovereign command of Christ, who bypasses the traditional expectation and directly heals the man. The pool, in this context, underscores the inadequacy of human effort and the superiority of divine intervention.
* **The Pool of Siloam:** Referenced twice in [[John 9:7]] and [[John 9:11]], this pool is central to the healing of a man born blind. Jesus instructs the man to go and wash the mud from his eyes in the κολυμβήθρα of Siloam. This act of obedience results in the man receiving his sight. Unlike Bethesda, where the pool's efficacy was questioned, Siloam becomes a place of active participation and a conduit for divine power, demonstrating that obedience to Christ's command leads to miraculous transformation. The name "Siloam" itself, meaning "Sent," adds a layer of symbolic significance, pointing to Jesus as the one "sent" by God.
In both instances, the κολυμβήθρα functions as a specific, often public, location where divine power intersects with human suffering, leading to miraculous healing and revealing aspects of Jesus' identity and authority.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation is to the verb κολυμβάω (kolymbáō, `{{G2860}}`), the root from which κολυμβήθρα is derived, emphasizing the action of swimming or diving associated with such a place.
Other related concepts include:
* **Water (ὕδωρ, hydōr, `{{G5204}}`):** As a pool, κολυμβήθρα is fundamentally defined by its containment of water. In John's Gospel, water frequently carries symbolic weight, often pointing to spiritual cleansing, life, and the Holy Spirit (e.g., [[John 4:10-14]], [[John 7:37-39]]).
* **Healing (θεραπεία, therapeia, `{{G2322}}`; ἴασις, iasis, `{{G2392}}`):** The primary function of the pools in the biblical narratives is associated with healing, whether perceived or actual.
* **Washing (νίπτω, niptō, `{{G3538}}`):** The act of washing, particularly at Siloam, is crucial to the healing process and carries connotations of cleansing and purification.
* **Bethesda (Βηθεσδά, Bethseda, `{{G964}}`):** The specific location, meaning "house of mercy" or "house of grace," highlights the context of divine compassion.
* **Siloam (Σιλωάμ, Siloam, `{{G4611}}`):** The specific location, meaning "sent," pointing to the divine mission of Jesus.
* **Gathering Places:** Pools, particularly those associated with healing, would have served as public gathering places for the infirm and those seeking remedies, reflecting the social context of the time.
### Theological Significance
The κολυμβήθρα in John's Gospel, while a physical location, assumes profound theological significance as a stage for revealing Jesus' divine nature and the nature of salvation.
At **Bethesda**, the κολυμβήθρα serves as a symbol of human futility and the limitations of ritual or superstitious belief. The long-suffering man, unable to enter the water, represents humanity's inability to save itself or find true healing through conventional means. Jesus' direct command, bypassing the need for the "stirring" of the water, powerfully asserts His sovereign authority over sickness, tradition, and even the perceived efficacy of sacred places. The pool, therefore, highlights that true "mercy" (as implied by Bethesda's name) comes not from a physical source but directly from the Son of God.
At **Siloam**, the κολυμβήθρα functions differently, becoming a place of obedient action and spiritual revelation. The act of washing in the pool, as commanded by Jesus, is not the source of healing itself but the necessary act of faith and obedience that precedes it. The blind man's journey to Siloam and his subsequent sight symbolize the spiritual journey from darkness to light that occurs when one responds in faith to Christ. The pool, in this instance, points to the cleansing and transformative power of Christ's word and the importance of active faith in receiving spiritual sight.
Collectively, the occurrences of κολυμβήθρα underscore a central Johannine theme: that Jesus Christ is the ultimate source of life, healing, and spiritual cleansing, transcending and fulfilling any perceived efficacy of physical places or rituals. The pools serve as tangible points of contrast, demonstrating that while humanity sought healing in physical waters, the true "living water" and the source of all grace resided in the person of Jesus.
### Summary
The Greek word κολυμβήθρα (kolymbḗthra, `{{G2861}}`) refers to a "pool" or "bathing place," derived from the verb "to swim." In the New Testament, its usage is confined to the Gospel of John, specifically identifying the Pool of Bethesda and the Pool of Siloam. These physical κολυμβήθρα locations serve as crucial settings for two of Jesus' miracles, the healing of the paralytic and the healing of the blind man. Contextually, the κολυμβήθρα at Bethesda emphasizes human inadequacy and the sovereign, unmerited grace of Christ, who heals independently of the pool's supposed power. Conversely, the κολyμβήθρα at Siloam highlights the necessity of obedient faith in response to Jesus' command, leading to spiritual and physical transformation. Theologically, these pools function as symbolic backdrops, underscoring that while humanity sought healing in physical waters, the ultimate source of life, cleansing, and spiritual sight is found exclusively in Jesus Christ, the one sent by God.
TRV