of uncertain affinity; the south(-west) wind; by extension, the southern quarter itself:--south (wind).
Transliteration:nótos
Pronunciation:not'-os
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun **νότος** (nótos, `{{G3558}}`) primarily denotes the "south wind." Its semantic range extends beyond the atmospheric phenomenon to encompass the "southern quarter" or "southern region" itself. This metonymic usage is common in ancient languages where a prevailing wind direction could also signify the geographical area from which it originates. The definition notes its "uncertain affinity," indicating that its etymological roots are not definitively established, yet its meaning is consistently understood within the Koine Greek lexicon. In the Mediterranean context, the south wind often brought specific weather conditions, frequently associated with heat or, at times, with the onset of rain.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term **νότος** appears in the New Testament in both its primary sense of a wind and its extended sense of a geographical direction.
* **Luke 12:55**: "And when you see a south wind (νότον) blowing, you say, 'It will be a scorching heat,' and it happens." Here, Jesus uses the south wind as a common, observable sign of impending heat, illustrating the people's ability to discern natural phenomena while failing to discern the "signs of the times" regarding God's kingdom. The south wind is a natural indicator, readily understood by the populace.
* **Acts 27:13**: "When a gentle south wind (νότου) began to blow, they thought they had obtained their purpose." In this account of Paul's perilous sea voyage, the south wind is initially perceived as favorable, offering a false sense of security for the ship's journey. However, it soon gives way to a violent northeasterly gale, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sea and the divine orchestration of events.
* **Matthew 12:42** and **Luke 11:31**: "The Queen of the South (βασίλισσα νότου) will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here." In these parallel passages, **νότος** clearly refers to the geographical region of the south, specifically the kingdom of Sheba. The Queen's journey from a distant southern land to seek wisdom serves as a powerful indictment against those in Jesus' day who had the ultimate source of wisdom (Christ Himself) present among them but rejected Him.
### Related Words & Concepts
The word **νότος** is related to other terms describing winds and cardinal directions.
* **ἄνεμος** (ánemos, `{{G417}}`): The general term for "wind," often used in conjunction with specific directional winds.
* Other directional terms for winds or regions, though not explicitly using **νότος** as a component, would include references to the east (ἀνατολή), west (δύσις), and north (βορρᾶς).
* The concept of "signs" (σημεῖον, `{{G4592}}`) is closely linked, particularly in Luke 12:55, where the south wind is a natural sign that people interpret.
* "Wisdom" (σοφία, `{{G4678}}`) is a key concept in the Queen of the South narrative, contrasting Solomon's earthly wisdom with the divine wisdom embodied in Christ.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of **νότος** carry several layers of theological significance:
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Creation:** The references to the south wind, like all natural phenomena, underscore God's ultimate control over the elements. In Acts 27, the changing winds are part of a divinely permitted trial and a demonstration of God's power to preserve His servant.
2. **Call to Spiritual Discernment:** Jesus' teaching in Luke 12:55 uses the south wind as a metaphor for the obvious natural signs that people readily interpret. He challenges His audience to apply the same discernment to the spiritual "signs of the times" regarding His ministry and the coming of the Kingdom of God. This highlights a crucial theme of spiritual blindness versus spiritual insight.
3. **Universal Reach of God's Truth and Judgment:** The narrative of the Queen of the South (Matthew 12:42, Luke 11:31) is profoundly significant. Her arduous journey from the distant south to hear Solomon's wisdom serves as a prophetic foreshadowing of the Gentile world's future embrace of the Gospel. More immediately, it functions as a powerful indictment against the generation that rejected Jesus. If a foreign queen traveled far to hear a mere man, how much more culpable are those who reject the very Son of God, who is "greater than Solomon," present in their midst? Her example from the "ends of the earth" underscores the universal scope of divine truth and the impartiality of God's judgment.
### Summary
The Greek word **νότος** (nótos, `{{G3558}}`) refers primarily to the south wind and, by extension, to the southern geographical region. Its usage in the New Testament illustrates God's sovereignty over natural elements, as seen in the sea voyage of Acts, and serves as a teaching tool for spiritual discernment, as exemplified in Luke 12:55. Most profoundly, the "Queen of the South" narrative in the Gospels uses the southern region as a symbol of the distant nations, whose pursuit of wisdom will stand in judgment against those who reject the greater wisdom of Christ. Thus, **νότος** points to themes of divine providence, the necessity of spiritual understanding, and the universal implications of God's saving truth and ultimate judgment.
TRV