διθάλασσος (dithalassos)
dithalassos
sandbar
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective dithalassos literally means "between two seas" or "divided by the sea." It is formed from words meaning "twice" and "sea," describing a landform that has water on both sides. In classical geography, it could refer to regions like the Black Sea, which is bordered by land but open to the ocean. However, in the New Testament, it takes on a more specific physical shape.
This word appears only once in Scripture, in Acts 27:41. Here, it describes a "sandbar" or reef where a ship runs aground during a storm. The text calls this place a "two-sea" location because the vessel gets stuck between two bodies of water, with waves breaking against both sides of the wreck. This vivid image captures the perilous situation of the sailors, stranded on a narrow strip of land surrounded by churning sea.
Translators often render it as "sandbar" or "reef" to convey the danger rather than just the geography. The term highlights how the ship was trapped in a narrow channel, unable to move forward or backward. It serves as a concrete detail in the narrative, showing the specific nature of the disaster that led to the eventual rescue of all on board.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dithalassos appears only once in Scripture, describing a dangerous sandbar where two bodies of water meet. In Acts 27:41, Paul’s ship runs aground on this narrow strip of land, trapped between churning waves on both sides. It is a place of sudden stillness and extreme peril, where human effort can no longer steer the course.
Yet even in such a confined and frightening spot, God’s purpose holds firm. The narrative shows that being stuck does not mean being abandoned. The crew survives because divine protection remains active despite the chaotic surroundings. This detail reminds us that our circumstances may feel restrictive or overwhelming, but they do not limit God’s care.
When life feels like it has brought you to a standstill, remember that safety can still be found in the midst of uncertainty. The story does not end with destruction but with deliverance. You are held by a faithfulness that works even when the waters rise on every side.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- between two seas1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διθάλασσον1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 27:41
But coming to a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground. The bow struck and remained immovable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves.
This verse uses dithalassos to describe the precise geographic trap where the ship was stranded, highlighting how divine preservation operates even when human navigation fails completely.