φάραγξ (pharagx)
pharagx
valley
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun pharagx refers to a deep valley or ravine, specifically one bounded by steep cliffs or precipices. It describes a rugged, narrow chasm rather than a wide, open plain. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Luke 3:5.
This single occurrence quotes Isaiah 40:4, where John the Baptist speaks of every valley being filled. Here, pharagx translates the Hebrew nahal, often meaning a seasonal stream bed or wadi. The image is not just of low ground, but of a deep, difficult-to-cross gorge that must be leveled before a path can be made.
The word’s emphasis on vertical depth highlights the dramatic nature of the landscape. It suggests an obstacle so significant that it requires divine intervention to become passable. This concrete geography grounds the spiritual metaphor in the physical reality of ancient Judea.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pharagx describes a deep, narrow ravine with steep sides. In Luke 3:5, John the Baptist uses this image to describe spiritual preparation. He speaks of every valley being filled. This suggests that our deepest struggles and lowest moments are not dead ends. Instead, they are places where God’s grace can rise to meet us.
Imagine a path blocked by a steep gorge. It seems impossible to cross on your own. Yet the promise is that this obstacle will be leveled. This offers hope when you feel stuck in a difficult season. You do not have to climb out alone. The same power that fills the valley is at work in your life, turning barriers into bridges.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- valley1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φάραγξ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:5
Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.
This verse uses pharagx to describe a deep gorge that must be filled, symbolizing how God removes the lowest obstacles in our spiritual journey.