ποταμός (potamos)
potamos
river
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun potamos refers to a river or stream, appearing seventeen times in the New Testament. It is most frequently found in the Gospel accounts and the book of Revelation, where it often serves as a vivid backdrop for spiritual teaching. In the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus uses the image of a house built on rock versus one built on sand to illustrate stability against life’s storms (Matthew 7:25-27). Here, the river represents sudden, overwhelming force that tests the foundation of a person’s faith.
In Revelation, the word takes on a more apocalyptic tone. Rivers are depicted as sources of judgment and cosmic upheaval, such as when a great star falls into the waters and turns them bitter (Revelation 8:10), or when rivers dry up to prepare the way for kings from the east (Revelation 16:12). These occurrences highlight the power of natural forces under divine control. The term also appears in John’s Gospel, where Jesus speaks of living water flowing from within believers like a river (John 7:38), shifting the image from external threat to internal spiritual abundance.
Etymologically, potamos likely derives from roots related to flowing or washing. Its usage spans both literal geography and rich metaphor. Whether describing the Jordan River where John baptizes (Matthew 3:5) or the life-giving streams in Revelation’s new creation (Revelation 21:6), the word consistently conveys movement, power, and transformation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word potamos simply means river, yet it carries a weight that matches its power. In the Gospels, Jesus uses the image of rushing waters to show how quickly life’s storms can test us. When floods rise against a house built on sand, they expose what was hidden. But when those same waters beat against a foundation laid on rock, the structure stands firm. This reminds us that stability comes not from avoiding trouble, but from where we place our trust.
There is also a beautiful shift in how this word appears later in Scripture. In John’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of rivers flowing from within those who believe. Here the river is no longer an external threat but an internal source of life. It suggests that faith is not just about surviving the storm but becoming a channel for grace to others.
Whether we face the drying up of earthly resources or the promise of living water, this word invites us to look beyond surface circumstances. It points to a reality that remains steady when everything else shifts, offering hope that sustains us through every season.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- river4×
- torrents2×
- rivers2×
- a river2×
- stream,1×
- stream1×
- river,1×
- of rivers,1×
- a river,1×
- Rivers1×
- River1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ποταμὸν4×
- ποταμῷ3×
- ποταμοὶ3×
- ποταμῶν,1×
- ποταμῶν1×
- ποταμός,1×
- ποταμόν,1×
- ποταμὸς1×
- ποταμοῦ,1×
- ποταμοὺς1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 7:25
The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.
This verse uses the flood imagery to demonstrate that true stability is found only in a foundation built on solid rock rather than shifting sand.
-
John 7:38
He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.”
Here the word shifts from external danger to internal abundance, describing living water flowing out from within a believer.
-
Revelation of John 22:1
He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,
The final appearance presents a river of life flowing directly from God’s throne, symbolizing eternal sustenance and healing for all nations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does potamos mean in the Bible?
How is potamos used differently in the Gospels versus Revelation?
What is the significance of rivers in John 7:38?
Every Occurrence (17 verses across 7 books)
Matthew 3 verses
They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
Matthew 7:25The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded…
Matthew 7:27The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”