λαῖλαψ (lailaps)
lailaps
storm
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun lailaps describes a violent, sudden storm rather than a steady wind. It refers to a tempestuous squall or whirlwind that breaks forth from dark clouds with furious gusts and heavy rain. This is not a single breeze but a chaotic force that throws everything into disarray.
Its usage highlights the intensity of divine power or natural chaos. Mark 4:37 and Luke 8:23 use it for the gale that threatened Jesus’ disciples on the Sea of Galilee, while 2 Peter 2:17 applies it metaphorically to false teachers who are like "wells without water" carried along by storms.
Unlike words for general wind, lailaps emphasizes the destructive and overwhelming nature of the weather event. It captures a moment of sudden upheaval where human control is lost to the fury of the elements.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word lailaps captures more than just wind; it describes a violent, sudden squall that breaks forth with furious gusts and heavy rain. This is not a gentle breeze but a chaotic force that throws everything into disarray. When we encounter this term in Scripture, we see the raw intensity of nature or divine power overwhelming human control.
In Mark 4:37, Jesus’ disciples faced this exact kind of storm on the Sea of Galilee. The waves beat so hard that the boat was nearly filled, creating a moment of genuine terror. Yet even in such chaos, Jesus remains present. This word reminds us that while storms may arise suddenly and threaten to capsize our lives, they do not have the final say.
2 Peter 2:17 uses this imagery metaphorically for false teachers who are like clouds driven by a storm—unstable and lacking substance. In contrast, we are invited to find stability in Christ. When life feels like it is spinning out of control, remember that He holds the winds and the waves. You can rest in His peace, knowing He walks beside you through every tempest.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a storm2×
- storm1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- λαῖλαψ2×
- λαίλαπος1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 4:37
A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled.
This verse uses lailaps to describe a sudden gale that fills the boat with water, highlighting the disciples' helplessness before Jesus' authority.
-
Luke 8:23
But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water.
Here the word emphasizes the dangerous amount of water taken on, showing how quickly calm sailing turns into a life-threatening crisis.
-
II Peter 2:17
These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.
Peter applies lailaps metaphorically to describe false teachers as unstable clouds driven by violent winds, lacking true spiritual substance.