from παρά and ἅλς; beside the salt (sea), i.e. maritime:--sea coast.
Transliteration:parálios
Pronunciation:par-al'-ee-os
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term παράλιος (G3882), transliterated as *parálios*, is an adjective derived from the preposition παρά (para, `{{G3844}}`), meaning "beside" or "alongside," and the noun ἅλς (hals, `{{G251}}`), meaning "salt" or "sea." Etymologically, it signifies "beside the salt (sea)." This composite origin yields a precise geographical meaning: "maritime," "coastal," or pertaining to the "sea coast." Its semantic range is quite narrow, exclusively denoting areas immediately adjacent to the sea. It describes the land or region, not the body of water itself.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term παράλιος (G3882) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke:
* [[Luke 6:17]]: "And He came down with them and stood on a level place; and a great crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases."
In this sole occurrence, παράλιος modifies "Tyre and Sidon," indicating that a significant portion of the multitude following Jesus originated from the coastal regions of these Phoenician cities. This detail is crucial for understanding the breadth of Jesus' early ministry. Tyre and Sidon, while geographically proximate to Galilee, were predominantly Gentile cities, distinct from the Jewish heartlands of Judea and Jerusalem. The inclusion of people from these "sea coast" areas highlights the widespread fame of Jesus and the diverse demographic drawn to His teaching and healing power, extending beyond the traditional boundaries of Israel. It underscores a movement of people from distant and varied cultural backgrounds converging upon Jesus, eager to encounter His divine authority.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary components of παράλιος are:
* παρά (para, `{{G3844}}`): A common Greek preposition indicating proximity, origin, or comparison. In this context, it denotes proximity ("beside").
* ἅλς (hals, `{{G251}}`): "Salt" or "the sea." Here, it unequivocally refers to the sea.
Other related Greek terms that describe geographical features pertaining to water include:
* θάλασσα (thalassa, `{{G2281}}`): The general term for "sea" or "lake." παράλιος describes the land adjacent to θάλασσα.
* αἰγιαλός (aigialos, `{{G124}}`): "Beach" or "shore," a more specific part of the παράλιος region, referring to the very edge where land meets water.
Theologically, the concept of people gathering from diverse, often non-Jewish, regions connects to broader biblical themes of the universal reach of God's salvation and the ingathering of the nations.
### Theological Significance
While παράλιος (G3882) is a purely geographical descriptor, its singular appearance in [[Luke 6:17]] carries significant theological weight, particularly in the context of Luke's Gospel.
1. **Universal Scope of the Gospel:** The presence of people from the "sea coast of Tyre and Sidon" underscores the early, burgeoning universality of Jesus' ministry. Long before the explicit command of the Great Commission, Jesus' fame and power were attracting Gentiles, demonstrating that His message and healing transcended ethnic and geographical boundaries. This foreshadows the inclusion of the Gentiles into the new covenant community.
2. **Divine Magnetism and Authority:** The fact that large crowds, including those from distant coastal regions, made the journey to hear Jesus and be healed speaks to the compelling authority and divine magnetism of His person. It indicates a widespread recognition of His unique power over sickness and evil spirits, drawing people from all walks of life and every corner of the known world.
3. **Fulfillment of Prophetic Expectation (Implicit):** The gathering of peoples, including those from coastal lands (often symbolic of distant nations in prophetic literature), to the light of God is a recurring motif in Old Testament prophecy (e.g., [[Isaiah 49:6]], [[Isaiah 60:3]]). While not a direct fulfillment, the scene in [[Luke 6:17]] subtly aligns with this broader eschatological vision of God's salvation extending to the ends of the earth.
### Summary
The Greek word παράλιος (G3882), precisely translated as "sea coast" or "maritime," is derived from the components "beside" (παρά, `{{G3844}}`) and "sea" (ἅλς, `{{G251}}`). Its singular occurrence in the New Testament at [[Luke 6:17]] is highly significant. It describes the origin of a portion of the vast multitude that gathered to hear Jesus and be healed, specifically identifying them as coming from the "sea coast of Tyre and Sidon." This detail is not merely geographical; it carries profound theological implications. The presence of these individuals from traditionally Gentile, coastal regions vividly illustrates the expansive and inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry from its earliest stages. It highlights the universal appeal of the Gospel, the powerful divine authority of Jesus that drew people across ethnic and geographical divides, and subtly prefigures the global reach of God's redemptive plan. Thus, παράλιος, though simple in definition, serves as a powerful indicator of the boundary-transcending scope of Christ's kingdom.
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