285. ammos

Lexicon

ammos: Sand

Original Word: ἄμμος
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: ammos
Pronunciation: AM-mos
Phonetic Spelling: (am'-mos)
Definition: Sand
Meaning: sand, sandy ground.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

sand.

Perhaps from hama; sand (as heaped on the beach) -- sand.

see GREEK hama

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from psammos (sand)
Definition
sand
NASB Translation
sand (5).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 285: ἄμμος

ἄμμος, , ἡ, sand; see. to a Hebrew comparison ἄμμος τῆς θαλάσσης and ἄμμος ἡ παρά τό χεῖλος τῆς θαλάσσης are used for an innumerable multitude, Romans 9:27; Hebrews 11:12; Revelation 20:8, equivalent to Revelation 12:18 (Revelation 13:1). According to the context sandy ground, Matthew 7:26. (Xenophon, Plato, Theophrastus often, Plutarch, the Sept. often.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word for "sand."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek ἄμμος corresponds to the Hebrew word חוֹל (chol), Strong's Hebrew 2344, which also means "sand" and is used similarly in the Old Testament to denote vastness or innumerability, particularly in the context of God's promises to the patriarchs.

Usage: The term ἄμμος is used in the New Testament to convey the idea of an innumerable quantity, often in reference to the descendants of Abraham or the vastness of God's promises.

Context: The Greek word ἄμμος appears in the New Testament to illustrate the concept of an uncountable multitude, akin to the grains of sand on a seashore. This metaphor is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, where God's promises to the patriarchs often included the imagery of descendants as numerous as the sand. In the New Testament, ἄμμος is used to emphasize the fulfillment and continuation of these divine promises.

For instance, in Romans 9:27, Paul references the prophecy of Isaiah, stating, "Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved." Here, ἄμμος underscores the vast number of Israelites, while also highlighting the concept of a faithful remnant.

The metaphor of sand is also employed in Hebrews 11:12, where the author speaks of Abraham's descendants: "And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore." This passage reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, emphasizing the miraculous and abundant nature of God's blessings.

The use of ἄμμος in the New Testament serves to connect the early Christian community with the heritage of Israel, reinforcing the continuity of God's covenantal promises through Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

αμμον άμμον ἄμμον αμμος άμμος ἄμμος άμμου άμμω αμνάδα αμνάδας αμνάδες αμνάδων αμνάς αμνάσιν αμνήστευτον ammon ámmon ammos ámmos

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 7:26 N-AFS
GRK: ἐπὶ τὴν ἄμμον
NAS: built his house on the sand.
KJV: house upon the sand:
INT: upon the sand

Romans 9:27 N-NFS
GRK: ὡς ἡ ἄμμος τῆς θαλάσσης
NAS: BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA,
KJV: be as the sand of the sea, a remnant
INT: as the sand of the sea

Hebrews 11:12 N-NFS
GRK: ὡς ἡ ἄμμος ἡ παρὰ
NAS: AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.
KJV: and as the sand which is by
INT: as the sand which [is] by

Revelation 12:17 N-AFS
GRK: ἐπὶ τὴν ἄμμον τῆς θαλάσσης
INT: upon the sand of the sea

Revelation 20:8 N-NFS
GRK: ὡς ἡ ἄμμος τῆς θαλάσσης
NAS: of them is like the sand of the seashore.
KJV: of whom [is] as the sand of the sea.
INT: as the sand of the sea

Strong's Greek 285
5 Occurrences

ἄμμον — 2 Occ.
ἄμμος — 3 Occ.