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ἐπαφρίζω (epaphrizō)

epaphrizō

to foam up

G1890 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The verb epaphrizō describes the physical act of foaming up or casting out foam, drawing its imagery from the sea where churning waves produce white froth on their crest. In the New Testament, this concrete picture is applied metaphorically to describe how certain individuals "vomit forth" their shameful deeds or opinions. The word appears only once in Scripture, in Jude 1:12, where it characterizes dangerous false teachers within the community.

Its force lies in the violent, involuntary nature of the action. Just as sea foam is the turbulent residue of crashing waves, these individuals are portrayed as producing harmful speech that spills out uncontrollably from their inner turmoil. Translators typically render this as "spewing" or "vomiting," capturing the repulsive and disruptive quality of their influence rather than a calm disagreement.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word epaphrizō paints a vivid picture of turbulent water churning into white foam. In Jude’s letter, this image describes false teachers who spill out shameful deeds and opinions uncontrollably. It is not a polite disagreement but a violent projection of inner turmoil onto the community.

For your faith, this serves as a gentle warning to guard your own speech. Just as sea foam is the residue of crashing waves, our words often reveal what is happening beneath the surface. We are invited to examine our hearts, seeking peace rather than turbulence, so that our influence brings clarity instead of confusion.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • foaming out1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • ἐπαφρίζοντα1×

Key Verses

  • Jude 1:13
    wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.

    This verse uses the word to describe how false teachers uncontrollably spill out their shameful deeds, comparing them to wild sea waves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does epaphrizō mean in the Bible?

It is a Greek verb meaning 'to foam up' or 'to cast out foam.' It appears only once in the New Testament, describing the involuntary and repulsive spewing of shameful words or actions by false teachers.

Why is this word used in Jude 1:13?

Jude uses it to illustrate the chaotic nature of these individuals. Like sea foam produced by crashing waves, their harmful speech is a turbulent residue of inner unrest, rather than calm or reasoned discourse.

How does this word differ from general disagreement?

Unlike healthy debate, epaphrizō implies a violent, uncontrollable outpouring. It suggests that the speaker is overwhelmed by their own turmoil, causing them to project shame and disruption onto others without restraint.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Jude 1 verse
Jude 1:13

wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been…