1. Introduction
The Bible uses primarily two different words to describe the sea throughout the Old and New Testaments. These terms are Hb “yam” and Hb “tehom,” as well as Gr “thalassa” and Gr “abyssos.” These two words are used somewhat interchangeably, but communicate different theological ideas. This short exploration will look at the usage of these words throughout the OT and NT, as well as later usage in the Gr LXX.
2. Lexical and Linguistic Background
The Hb term “yam” is primarily used, according to Strongs, to refer to the sea, usually the Mediterranean sea. In the NKJV this term is essentially always translated as sea, though sometimes refers to a river (a small sea-like body) or westward (toward the sea). The Hb term “tehom,” on the other hand, is primarily used, according to Strongs, to refer to the “deep.” This is a mystical English word, but accurately depicts the feel of the Hebrew. Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon notes this is a poetic word. This refers to the primeval deep water, and is naturally theologically charged in the polytheistic world of the Israelites.
The Gr term “thalassa” is, according to Strongs, simply the sea. The Gr term “abyssos,” on the other hand, is theologically dripping. According to Strongs, Gr “abyssos” means depthless or abyss. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon calls it bottomless, unbounded, or the pit.
3. The word in the Bible
The Hebrew term “yam” appears 396 times in the WLC Hebrew OT. As mentioned, it is primarily translated as “sea.” For example, Genesis 1:10 says, “And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas…” (NKJV).
The Hebrew term “tehom” is used 36 times throughout the WLC Hebrew OT, and is translated as “deep,” or some kind of dangerous waves. Genesis 1:2 says, “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was[fn] on the face of the deep…” (NKJV).
The Greek term “thalassa” appears 92 times in the TR Greek NT. It is primarily translated as sea. For example, Matthew 4:18 says, “And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers…” (NKJV).
The Greek term “abyssos” appears nine times in the TR Greek NT. In the NKJV, it is translated twice as “abyss” (Luke and Romans) and five times as “bottomless pit” (Revelation). For example, Revelation 20:1 says, “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand,” (NKJV).
4. Transitional Developments in later literature
The LXX introduces a critical connection between Hb “yam” and Gr “thalassa,” as well as Hb “tehom” and Gr “abyssos.” In the previous Hebrew example, Genesis 1:2, Hb “yam” is translated as Gr “thalassa.” This is a clear connection, as both terms essentially mean “sea.” However, the LXX also connects the terms Hb “tehom” and Gr “abyssos.” Genesis 1:10 in the LXX translates Hb “tehom” as Gr “abyssos.” Both terms are clearly theologically significant, however the usage of “abyssos” by Gr is arguably more theologically packed.
5. Synthesis And Conclusion
It is significant, then, that the NT uses the term “abyssos” to refer to the bottomless pit. This usage is primarily in the vision of Revelation, specifically referring to the place Satan will be cast for 1,000 years. The term “abyssos” is the source of the English word abyss, but does not bring to mind the same kind of theological imagery as was used when translating the OT into the LXX, and then as was picked up by the NT authors.
