κῦμα (kuma)
kuma
a wave
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kuma refers to a wave or swell, particularly one generated by the sea or a large lake. Its etymology connects it to the idea of swelling or bending, reflecting the physical rising and curving motion of water. In the Gospels, this word describes the violent storms that threaten Jesus’ disciples, such as the gale that fills their boat in Matthew 8:24 and the rough seas they navigate during the night in Mark 4:37.
While often used literally to depict natural danger, the term carries a vivid metaphorical weight in Jude 1:3. Here, it appears in the phrase "waves of the sea" to describe individuals who are restless and driven by their own passions. This usage transforms a physical phenomenon into a picture of moral instability, where people are tossed about by inner turmoil rather than guided by steady conviction.
Translators typically render kuma as "wave" or "billow," capturing both the size and the force of the water. The distinction between this word and others for water movement lies in its specific focus on the cresting, swelling motion. By linking the physical power of the ocean to human behavior, the text uses a familiar natural image to illustrate spiritual restlessness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word kuma simply means a wave, yet it carries the heavy weight of sudden danger and instability. In the Gospels, these waves are not just background scenery; they are the very force that threatens to swallow the disciples’ boat. When Jesus sleeps through the storm in Matthew 8:24, the kuma represents a chaos so complete it covers the vessel entirely. This reminds us that our own lives often face moments where the waters rise faster than we can control them.
Beyond the physical danger, this word paints a picture of spiritual restlessness. Jude 1:13 uses kuma to describe people who are tossed about by their own passions, lacking any steady ground. It is a stark image of what happens when we drift without a fixed point of trust. The Bible invites us to look at these turbulent waters not as the end of our story, but as the setting where faith is tested and refined.
There is a quiet hope in this imagery. Just as Jesus calmed the sea, He meets us in our own kuma. We do not need to have perfect stability on our own; we only need to anchor ourselves in His presence. When the waves rise, they reveal who truly holds the power over the storm.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- waves;2×
- waves2×
- waves.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κύματα2×
- κυμάτων·2×
- κυμάτων.1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 8:24
Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves; but he was asleep.
This verse highlights the overwhelming scale of the danger, showing how the waves covered the boat completely while Jesus remained at peace.
-
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.
Here the word shifts from physical storm to moral instability, describing those who are restless and driven by their own shame.
-
Mark 4:37
A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled.
The waves beating into the boat illustrate the immediate threat of drowning, prompting the disciples to cry out for help.