ποταμοφόρητος (potamophorētos)
potamophorētos
flooded
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The rare adjective potamophorētos describes something carried away or overwhelmed by a rushing stream. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Revelation 12:15, where it depicts the serpent’s attempt to destroy the woman with a flood of water from its mouth.
Its meaning is built from two parts: potamos, for river or stream, and phoretos, meaning carried. This construction paints a vivid picture of being swept off one’s feet by overwhelming force. In this specific context, it suggests an attempt to drown or wash away the believer through sudden, violent opposition.
Because this word is so unique to this single verse, it highlights the intensity of the spiritual conflict described in Revelation. The image conveys not just resistance, but a totalizing assault meant to sweep the faithful away completely, emphasizing the need for divine protection against such overwhelming odds.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word potamophorētos appears just once in Scripture, describing someone swept away by a rushing river. In Revelation 12:15, the serpent tries to wash the woman away with a flood from his mouth. This image captures the terrifying power of sudden opposition meant to overwhelm and destroy faith.
Yet the story does not end with the flood. The earth helps the woman by opening its mouth to swallow the river (Revelation 12:16). This shows that even when forces seem too strong to withstand, God provides a way out. You are not left to face these overwhelming currents alone.
When life feels like it is rushing past you with unstoppable force, remember that protection comes from above. The same God who parts waters for His people can steady your feet. Trust in His care, knowing that no storm can ultimately separate you from His love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- carried away by a flood1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ποταμοφόρητον1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 12:15
The serpent spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream.
This is the only occurrence of the word, where it describes the woman being targeted by a flood meant to sweep her away.