κολυμβήθρα
kolumbēthra
pool
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word κολυμβήθρα (kolumbēthra), Strong's number G2861, is a noun with a simple definition: a pool. It occurs five times in the Bible, showcasing its significance in ancient Greek culture, where water was a vital resource. Given its definition as a pool, κολυμβήθρα likely refers to a large or deep container of water, possibly used for swimming, bathing, or even collecting rainwater. The fact that it appears in both figurative and literal contexts suggests its multifaceted role in ancient Greek life. The repetition of this word in the Bible underscores its importance, but without additional context, its significance remains tied to the literal meaning of a pool, reflecting the value placed on water in ancient times.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences across the text
Now in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew, “Bethesda”, having five porches.
John 5:4for an angel went down at certain times into the pool and stirred up the water. Whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had.
John 5:7The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, another steps down before me.”
John 9:7and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.
John 9:11He answered, “A man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went away and washed, and I received sight.”