χῶρος (chōros)
chōros
northwest
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun chōros refers specifically to the northwest wind, known in Latin as Caurus. This term appears only once in the New Testament, found within the narrative of Acts where it describes a violent storm that threatened the ship carrying Paul and other prisoners.
Its origin is notable for being borrowed directly from Latin rather than derived from native Greek roots, reflecting the Roman context of the era. The word identifies both the direction from which the wind blows and the gale itself, serving as a precise meteorological marker in the text.
Translators typically render this as "northwest wind," capturing the specific force that drove the vessel toward dangerous shores. This single occurrence highlights how natural phenomena played a direct role in the travel narratives of the early church.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chōros appears only once in the New Testament, describing a fierce northwest wind that threatened Paul’s ship during a storm at sea. This rare term reminds us that God’s providence works through all circumstances, even those as chaotic and dangerous as a violent gale. The narrative shows how natural forces can become part of a larger divine plan.
When life feels like it is spinning out of control, this passage offers comfort. It illustrates that no storm is beyond God’s sovereign care. Paul remained calm not because the weather was mild, but because he trusted in God’s promise to preserve those on board. This specific wind, though destructive, ultimately served to bring everyone safely to shore.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] northwest.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χῶρον.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 27:12
Because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised going to sea from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix and winter there, which is a port of Crete, looking southwest and northwest.
This verse identifies the northwest wind as a key factor in the decision to leave the harbor, showing how specific weather conditions influenced the travelers' plans.