2911. krémnos

Lexical Summary

krémnos: Cliff, precipice

Original Word: κρημνός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: krémnos
Pronunciation: krem-NOS
Phonetic Spelling: (krame-nos')
KJV: steep place
NASB: steep bank
Word Origin: [from G2910 (κρεμάννυμι - hanging)]

1. overhanging, i.e. a precipice

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

a steep bank, cliff

From kremannumi; overhanging, i.e. A precipice -- steep place.

see GREEK kremannumi

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from kremannumi
Definition
a steep bank
NASB Translation
steep bank (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2911: κρημνός

κρημνός, κρημνοῦ, ὁ (from κρεμάννυμι), a steep (place), a precipice: Matthew 8:32; Mark 5:13; Luke 8:33. (2 Chronicles 25:12; Greek writings from Homer down.)

Topical Lexicon

Occurrences in the New Testament

Matthew 8:32; Mark 5:13; Luke 8:33

Geographical and Historical Background

The single setting for every usage is the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee in the territory of the Gadarenes (also described as Gerasenes). Archaeology confirms abrupt limestone bluffs that descend directly into the water—an ideal physical backdrop for a herd of pigs to plunge to their death. First-century readers would recognize such topography as hazardous and virtually inaccessible once a fall began.

Narrative Context

In each Synoptic account, the term designates the final descent of a large herd of pigs after Jesus expels a legion of demons from a possessed man. The text accentuates three details:

1. The demons beg for permission to enter the swine.
2. Jesus grants permission, emphasizing His sovereign control.
3. The animals respond en masse, rushing headlong down the precipice into the sea and drowning.

Christ’s Demonstrated Authority

The steep bank functions as a stage upon which Jesus’ absolute lordship over the invisible realm is publically displayed. By permitting the demons to enter the pigs yet overruling their destructive intent through a visible catastrophe, Jesus simultaneously liberates the demoniac and illustrates the final destiny of unclean powers: self-inflicted ruin under divine command.

Theological and Prophetic Echoes

• Job 1:19; Isaiah 14:15; Revelation 20:10 share a thematic trajectory—an unrelenting downward plunge symbolizing the fate of evil. The word’s New Testament usage visually dramatizes that trajectory.
• The drowning recalls Pharaoh’s army in Exodus 14, reinforcing the motif of deliverance through judgment.
• The presence of swine, considered unclean under Mosaic Law, further heightens the contrast between holiness and defilement.

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

1. Spiritual Warfare: The precipice episode warns that demonic influences invariably move toward destruction. Deliverance ministry must therefore expose and confront, never negotiate with, such powers.
2. Evangelism: The healed man becomes an immediate witness in Decapolis (Mark 5:20). Physical geography—once the scene of chaos—turns into a platform for testimony.
3. Stewardship: The loss of two thousand pigs underscores that economic cost is secondary to the salvation of one soul; discipleship may involve tangible sacrifice.
4. Disciples’ Fear vs. Faith: Just prior, the disciples feared drowning in a storm (Matthew 8:23-27). Moments later, unclean spirits, not disciples, drown. The contrast calls believers from fear to trust in the One who commands both sea and spirits.

Homiletical Potential

A sermon or lesson built around this word can trace a fourfold movement:
• Human bondage (the demoniac’s plight)
• Divine intervention (Jesus’ authoritative word)
• Visible judgment (the herd’s plunge)
• Missional sending (the restored man’s proclamation)

The dramatic image of the steep bank thus becomes a vivid reminder that the Gospel frees captives, overthrows evil, and commissions witnesses—all under the sovereign hand of Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

κρημνου κρημνού κρημνοῦ κρήνην κρήνης κρηπίδα κρηπίδος kremnou kremnoû krēmnou krēmnoû

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 8:32 N-GMS
GRK: κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ εἰς τὴν
NAS: down the steep bank into the sea
KJV: down a steep place into
INT: down the steep bank into the

Mark 5:13 N-GMS
GRK: κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ εἰς τὴν
NAS: down the steep bank into the sea,
KJV: violently down a steep place into
INT: down the steep into the

Luke 8:33 N-GMS
GRK: κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ εἰς τὴν
NAS: down the steep bank into the lake
KJV: violently down a steep place into
INT: down the steep into the

Strong's Greek 2911
3 Occurrences

κρημνοῦ — 3 Occ.