### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **rhipízō**, represented by `{{G4494}}`, means to agitate into waves or to toss. Derived from a word related to a fan or bellows, it carries the idea of being stirred up by a breeze. It is a very specific term, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single use of `{{G4494}}` is found in [[James 1:6]], where it provides a powerful visual metaphor. The verse states that a person who wavers in faith "is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and **tossed**." Here, `{{G4494}}` describes the turbulent, uncontrolled motion of the wave, directly likening it to the spiritual instability of a doubter. The word paints a picture of something without direction, subject to external forces.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related Greek words in the same verse help to build this metaphor:
* `{{G1252}}` **diakrínō** (waver): This word describes the internal state of the person who doubts or hesitates. It is the human action that prompts the comparison to a tossed wave [[James 1:6]]. The same word is used for "doubt" in the context of faith and prayer [[Matthew 21:21]] and to "stagger" at God's promise [[Romans 4:20]].
* `{{G2830}}` **klýdōn** (wave): This is the object being acted upon—the **wave** of the sea itself [[James 1:6]]. It is also used to describe the **raging** of the water that Jesus calms [[Luke 8:24]].
* `{{G416}}` **anemízō** (drive with the wind): This identifies the force causing the agitation. In [[James 1:6]], the wave is not just tossed, but specifically **driven with the wind**, emphasizing its lack of self-control.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G4494}}` is concentrated in its single, illustrative use. It serves to highlight the nature of faith and doubt.
* **The Instability of Doubt:** The primary function of the word is to define doubt as a state of agitation and instability. A person who wavers, like a wave that is **tossed** `{{G4494}}`, is unsettled and lacks a firm foundation [[James 1:6]].
* **The Call to Steadfastness:** By illustrating the negative condition of being tossed, the verse implicitly calls for the opposite: a faith that is stable, anchored, and not subject to the shifting winds of circumstance or doubt.
* **A Metaphor for the Inner Life:** The word uses a vivid, external image—a wave agitated by the wind—to explain a profound internal reality. The spiritual condition of wavering `{{G1252}}` is made tangible through the picture of being **tossed** `{{G4494}}`.
### Summary
In summary, while extremely rare, `{{G4494}}` provides a crucial piece of biblical imagery. Its sole appearance in [[James 1:6]] powerfully defines the essence of a wavering faith, portraying it as unstable, agitated, and directionless as a wave **tossed** by the sea. It is a striking example of how a single, carefully chosen word can create an unforgettable metaphor for a vital spiritual concept.
TRV