θυρίς (thuris)
thuris
window
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun thuris refers to a small opening or window in a wall. It is a diminutive form derived from the word for door, suggesting a small aperture rather than a large, formal structure. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, both times describing a physical exit point from a building.
Its usage highlights specific narrative details. In Acts 20:9, it describes the window through which Eutychus fell while Paul was speaking late into the night. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 11:33 records how Paul’s disciples lowered him in a basket through this same type of opening to escape danger in Damascus. The word captures the literal mechanism of passage or escape in these historical moments.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word thuris describes a small opening in a wall, often translated as a window. It is a diminutive form related to the word for door, suggesting a modest aperture rather than a grand structure. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, grounding its meaning in specific historical moments of human vulnerability and divine providence.
In Acts 20:9, Eutychus sits in such a window, overcome by sleep as Paul speaks late into the night. His fall from the third floor is a stark reminder of our physical frailty. Yet, God’s power works even through this moment of weakness, raising Eutychus back to life and comforting the gathered believers.
Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 11:33, Paul escapes danger by being lowered through a window in the city wall. This humble opening becomes the means of his preservation for the sake of the gospel. These verses show that God uses ordinary, even small, things to protect and sustain His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- window,1×
- a window1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θυρίδος,1×
- θυρίδος1×
Key Verses
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Acts 20:9
A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third floor and was taken up dead.
This verse highlights the word's use to describe a physical location where human weakness meets divine intervention.
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II Corinthians 11:33
I was let down in a basket through a window by the wall, and escaped his hands.
Here the term denotes the specific opening through which Paul was lowered, emphasizing God's provision for his safety.