θέρμη (thermē)
thermē
heat
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun thermē simply means heat. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 28:3, where Paul is bitten by a viper on the island of Malta. The text notes that the local people saw the snake hanging from his hand and assumed he was suffering from intense physical pain or divine punishment, likely due to the burning sensation of the venom.
Its root relates to warmth or hotness, connecting it to other Greek words for heat. The sources indicate this term is used in the Septuagint to describe literal warmth, such as the sun’s heat or the warmth provided by fire. In Acts, it underscores the physical reality of Paul’s experience, highlighting that his survival was not due to any natural immunity but a miraculous preservation.
Translators typically render thermē as "heat" or "burning," capturing the immediate sensory detail rather than a metaphorical meaning. This single usage serves to emphasize the severity of the attack and the subsequent amazement of the observers when Paul suffered no ill effects, pointing to divine protection in a moment of apparent danger.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word thermē simply means heat. It appears in Acts 28:3 to describe the warmth from a fire that caused a viper to emerge. This detail highlights the physical reality of Paul’s situation. He was not immune to danger; he faced real pain and risk.
Yet, his survival pointed to something greater than natural luck. The observers expected him to suffer or die, seeing it as divine punishment. Instead, he shook off the snake and remained unharmed. This moment shows that God’s protection does not always remove us from difficulty but sustains us through it.
When you face unexpected trials, remember this story. Your safety is not in your own strength or immunity. It rests in the hand of God who preserves His servants. You are never alone in your struggles.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- heat1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θέρμης1×
Key Verses
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Acts 28:3
But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
The word thermē explains why the viper emerged, linking the physical danger to the immediate context of Paul’s actions.