ἐρήμωσις (erēmōsis)
erēmōsis
devastation
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun erēmōsis describes a state of being made desolate or laid waste. It appears in the New Testament to depict the physical destruction of Jerusalem, specifically when its surroundings are surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20). The word carries the weight of total abandonment, reflecting the severity of divine judgment on the city.
This term is a direct translation of Hebrew words for desolation found in the Old Testament prophets, such as Daniel. Jesus references this concept when pointing to the "abomination that causes desolation" (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14). By using this specific vocabulary, the Gospels connect the impending ruin of Jerusalem to the ancient prophecies of exile and devastation.
The word is rare, occurring only three times in the New Testament. Its presence highlights the continuity between the prophetic warnings of the Hebrew Scriptures and the historical events recorded in the Gospels. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's message, framing the destruction not just as a military defeat but as a spiritual desolation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word erēmōsis paints a picture of total abandonment, where a once-living place becomes silent and empty. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this heavy term to describe the fate of Jerusalem when armies close in around it. It is not merely a military setback but a profound spiritual desolation that leaves the city without protection or presence.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God’s warnings are serious and real. When Luke records Jesus speaking of Jerusalem’s desolation at hand, he invites us to pay close attention to the signs of our times. It calls for discernment, urging believers to recognize when spiritual truths are being rejected and to respond with wisdom rather than fear.
Even in the face of such stark imagery, there is hope. Jesus’ warning was not just about destruction but about readiness. By understanding these ancient prophecies, we are encouraged to stay grounded in Christ, knowing that He remains our secure refuge regardless of the changing circumstances around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- desolation2×
- of desolation’1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐρημώσεως2×
- ἐρήμωσις1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 21:20
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.
This verse grounds the abstract concept of desolation in the concrete reality of Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, showing Jesus' specific prediction of the city's fall.
-
Matthew 24:15
“When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
Here the word links Jesus' warning to Daniel’s ancient prophecy, emphasizing that the coming judgment fulfills long-standing divine revelation.
-
Mark 13:14
“But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,
Mark highlights the urgency of the moment, instructing those in Judea to flee immediately upon seeing this sign of impending devastation.