Lexical Summary buthizó: To sink, to plunge, to submerge Original Word: βυθίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance begin to sink, drown. From buthos; to sink; by implication, to drown -- begin to sink, drown. see GREEK buthos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom buthos Definition to sink, to cause to sink NASB Translation plunge (1), sink (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1036: βυθίζωβυθίζω; (present passive βυθίζομαι); (βυθός, which see); to plunge into the deep, to sink: ὥστε βυθίζεσθαι αὐτά, of ships (as Polybius 2, 10, 5; 16, 3, 2 (Aristotle, Diodorus, others)), so that they began to sink, Luke 5:7; metaphorically, τινα εἰς ὄλεθρον (A. V. drown), 1 Timothy 6:9. Topical Lexicon Biblical Usage Strong’s Greek 1036 appears only twice in the New Testament. In Luke 5:7 fishermen strain to haul in an overwhelming catch, “so that the boats began to sink” (βυθίζεσθαι). In 1 Timothy 6:9 Paul warns that unchecked greed “plunge men into ruin and destruction” (βυθίζουσιν). In Luke, the verb depicts literal submersion of boats; in 1 Timothy it pictures moral and spiritual engulfment. The rarity of the term heightens its vividness, inviting meditation on both the physical and spiritual peril of being overwhelmed. Greek Background and Word Picture Classical writers employed the verb for ships going down, cities swallowed by the sea, or weights forcing objects under water. By New Testament times the image of something irresistibly dragged beneath the surface was familiar. Scripture appropriates this maritime vocabulary to underscore how external forces—or internal passions—can carry a person beyond the point of recovery unless God intervenes. Old Testament Parallels Hebrew poetry frequently speaks of calamity in terms of deep waters (Psalms 69:2; Jonah 2:5). Although the Septuagint does not use βυθίζω for those passages, the conceptual link is apparent. In both Testaments, drowning imagery communicates helplessness apart from divine rescue. Christological Perspective Luke 5 records the miracle where Jesus reverses the danger by His command. The same Lord who fills nets to the point of sinking also preserves the boats, demonstrating sovereign authority over abundance and risk alike. Conversely, 1 Timothy 6:9 shows how turning from that Lord to the pursuit of wealth leads to submersion in perdition. The verb thus frames a contrast: Christ saves from sinking; covetousness sinks from Christ. Theological Significance 1. Human limitation: Even seasoned fishermen cannot stay afloat when blessing exceeds capacity (Luke 5:7). Wealth seekers cannot control the consequences of their desires (1 Timothy 6:9). Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Stewardship of Success: Ministries experiencing growth must guard against capsizing under the weight of blessing. Structures, accountability, and gratitude keep the boat afloat. Church History Illustrations Early commentators such as Chrysostom likened Luke’s sinking boats to the church stretched by missionary harvests yet sustained by Christ. Reformers cited 1 Timothy 6:9 when confronting ecclesiastical corruption fueled by wealth. Modern missions repeatedly observe how materialism can suffocate spiritual vitality, confirming Paul’s warning. Practical Application Believers are called to recognize signs of spiritual undertow—prayerlessness, compromised integrity, insatiable consumption—and to respond before being dragged under. Corporate bodies must balance growth with depth, ensuring that numerical increase does not outpace discipleship. Ultimately, dependence upon Jesus Christ keeps individuals and congregations from sinking, whatever the waters may be. Forms and Transliterations βυθιζεσθαι βυθίζεσθαι βυθιζουσι βυθίζουσι βυθίζουσιν buthizesthai buthizousin bythizesthai bythízesthai bythizousin bythízousinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 5:7 V-PNM/PGRK: πλοῖα ὥστε βυθίζεσθαι αὐτά NAS: so that they began to sink. KJV: so that they began to sink. INT: boats so that were sinking they 1 Timothy 6:9 V-PIA-3P Strong's Greek 1036 |
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