χειμών (cheimōn)
cheimōn
winter
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun cheimōn refers to the winter season or, more specifically, a violent winter storm. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts that highlight the harshness of the cold months or the danger of sudden tempests. Jesus uses the term when advising his followers to pray that their flight will not occur during winter (Matthew 24:20; Mark 13:18), acknowledging the severe travel conditions of that time.
Its meaning extends beyond mere calendar dates to describe the weather itself. The word likely derives from a root related to pouring, suggesting heavy rain or snow associated with the season. This dual sense is visible in Acts 27:20, where a "tempest" strikes Paul’s ship, and in John 10:22, where Jesus walks in Solomon’s Colonnade during the winter festival of Dedication.
Translators typically render cheimōn as "winter" or "storm" depending on context. The word carries a weight of difficulty, whether through freezing temperatures or turbulent seas. It serves as a concrete image of hardship, reminding readers that certain seasons of life are inherently challenging and require endurance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word cheimōn captures more than just a date on the calendar; it describes the heavy, pressing reality of winter storms or the harshness of the cold season itself. In the ancient world, travel during these months was dangerous and difficult, often bringing isolation and physical strain. When Jesus mentioned praying that our flight might not be in the cheimōn, He acknowledged that some seasons of life are inherently tough and require endurance rather than quick action.
This word reminds us that hardship is a real part of the human experience, whether it comes as a literal storm or a metaphorical winter in our circumstances. It invites us to recognize the weight of difficult times without despair. Instead of forcing movement when conditions are unsafe, we can find peace in the wisdom of waiting for clearer skies.
Even in the midst of turbulent seas like those faced by Paul in Acts 27, or the cold isolation of winter travel, there is a quiet hope. We are not left to navigate these storms alone. The same God who sustains the seasons also holds us steady when the weather turns against us, offering strength for the days ahead.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- winter2×
- tempest1×
- in winter.1×
- in winter1×
- a storm,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χειμῶνος2×
- χειμῶνός1×
- χειμῶνος.1×
- χειμών,1×
- χειμὼν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 24:20
Pray that your flight will not be in the winter nor on a Sabbath,
Jesus links this word to practical wisdom, advising prayer that escape does not happen during the most dangerous travel season.
-
Acts 27:20
When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved was now taken away.
Here the term describes a violent tempest that pressed on the ship, stripping away all hope of survival.
-
Mark 13:18
Pray that your flight won’t be in the winter.
This parallel account reinforces the urgency of avoiding winter conditions when fleeing persecution or disaster.