### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **nychthḗmeron**, represented by `{{G3574}}`, is a compound term defined as **a day-and-night, i.e. full day of twenty-four hours**. This specific word appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible, making it a rare but precise descriptor for a complete 24-hour cycle of time.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single biblical use of `{{G3574}}` occurs in the context of the apostle Paul’s list of hardships. In his defense of his ministry, he recounts his sufferings, stating, "a **night and a day** I have been in the deep" [[2 Corinthians 11:25]]. Here, the word is not used in a doctrinal sense but to quantify a specific, prolonged period of peril. It gives a tangible measure to the duration of one of his trials, likely spent adrift at sea following one of the three shipwrecks he mentions.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words in the immediate context of [[2 Corinthians 11:25]] help frame the suffering Paul describes:
* `{{G5151}}` **trís** (three times): This adverb is used to count the frequency of Paul's beatings with rods and shipwrecks, establishing a pattern of repeated affliction [[2 Corinthians 11:25]].
* `{{G530}}` **hápax** (once): In contrast to repeated events, this word for "one (or a single) time" specifies the number of times Paul was stoned, highlighting it within his list of trials [[2 Corinthians 11:25]].
* `{{G3489}}` **nauagéō** (to be shipwrecked): Paul states he suffered shipwreck three times. This provides the direct context for his ordeal, explaining why he would have spent a "night and a day" in the deep [[2 Corinthians 11:25]].
* `{{G1037}}` **bythós** (depth): Defined as "depth, i.e. (by implication) the sea," this noun identifies the location of his 24-hour trial, painting a vivid picture of being lost at sea [[2 Corinthians 11:25]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{G3574}}` is found entirely in its context, illustrating the cost of apostleship.
* **Quantifying Hardship:** The word provides a concrete, measurable unit of time for Paul's suffering. Rather than a vague description, it specifies a full 24-hour period of life-threatening danger.
* **Proof of Endurance:** The use of "a night and a day" emphasizes the sustained nature of the peril. This specific duration serves as a powerful testament to the apostle's endurance and God's preservation through extreme circumstances.
* **Apostolic Authenticity:** The term is embedded within a catalog of afflictions—beatings, stonings, and shipwrecks—that Paul lists to authenticate his ministry. This experience in the deep is one more piece of evidence of his genuine commitment to the gospel.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G3574}}` is a highly specific term whose importance is tied to its solitary appearance in Scripture. While its definition as a "full day of twenty-four hours" is simple, its function in [[2 Corinthians 11:25]] is profound. It serves as a stark, quantitative reminder of the physical cost of Paul's ministry, transforming a general claim of hardship into a vivid and measurable account of endurance for the sake of Christ.
TRV