5189. tuphónikos
Lexical Summary
tuphónikos: Tempestuous, stormy

Original Word: τυφωνικός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: tuphónikos
Pronunciation: too-fo-nee-kos'
Phonetic Spelling: (too-fo-nee-kos')
KJV: tempestuous
NASB: violent
Word Origin: [from a derivative of G5188 (τύφω - smoldering)]

1. stormy (as if smoky)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
tempestuous.

From a derivative of tupho; stormy (as if smoky) -- tempestuous.

see GREEK tupho

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from tuphón (a hurricane)
Definition
tempestuous
NASB Translation
violent (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5189: τυφωνικός

τυφωνικός, τυφωνικη, τυφωνικον (Τυφῶν (cf. Chandler edition 1 § 659), a whirlwind, hurricane, typhoon), like a whirlwind, tempestuous: ἄνεμος, Acts 27:14.

Topical Lexicon
Linguistic and Cultural Setting

Though it appears only once in the New Testament, the adjective evokes the dreaded Mediterranean winter gales known for sudden, cyclonic violence. Greek writers applied similar language to winds associated with the monstrous Typhon, and Roman mariners feared them enough to halt shipping from early November to early February. Luke’s use of the word places his account within authentic first-century nautical vocabulary.

Biblical Context in Acts 27:14

“But soon a violent wind, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island” (Acts 27:14). The storm strikes Paul’s ship while it hugs the lee of Crete. In the narrative that follows (Acts 27:14–44) the word serves to

• underline the life-threatening peril that makes the sailors “abandon all hope of being saved” (27:20);
• set the stage for an angelic assurance that everyone on board will live (27:23–24);
• highlight Paul’s emergence as the true leader, offering practical counsel and spiritual confidence.

Meteorological Background

The “Northeaster” (Eurakylon) forms when cold continental air rushes south and collides with moist maritime air, generating a circular system that funnels through Cretan passes and slams into ships with hurricane-force winds and towering waves. Luke’s term captures that typhoon-like swirl in a single adjective.

Theological Themes

1. God’s Sovereignty over Creation—The Lord who “stills the roaring seas” (Psalm 65:7) also commands this tempest, using it to advance His redemptive plan.
2. Providence and Mission—Paul must testify in Rome (Acts 23:11; 27:24). The gale, far from derailing that promise, becomes the vehicle that carries the gospel to Malta (Acts 28:1–10).
3. Faith under Trial—“Take courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me” (Acts 27:25). Paul’s calm certainty contrasts with the sailors’ despair.
4. Spiritual Leadership—Though a prisoner, Paul instructs seasoned sailors, exemplifying how divine calling transcends social rank.

Practical and Ministry Applications

• Pastoral encouragement: storms in life test faith but cannot thwart God’s purposes.
• Missions perspective: setbacks may open unforeseen doors for witness and service.
• Leadership training: Acts 27 is often used to teach crisis management grounded in revelation, prayer, and decisive action.
• Worship and preaching: the passage pairs naturally with Psalm 107:23-30, Jonah 1, and Mark 4:35-41 to proclaim God’s mastery of wind and wave.

Historical Reception

Church fathers such as Chrysostom and Augustine cited the incident to illustrate steadfastness: the church, like Paul’s vessel, may be battered yet will reach its appointed harbor. Medieval chartmakers marked Euroaquilo as a hazard, reinforcing Luke’s credibility. Modern nautical studies confirm his details, bolstering confidence in the historicity of Acts.

Related Biblical Imagery

Psalm 107:23-30; Jonah 1; Mark 4:37-41; John 6:18-21—all recount storms that serve divine purposes, foreshadowing the Acts narrative and underscoring that every gale ultimately yields to the Creator’s will.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 5189 intensifies Luke’s description of the Northeaster that assaulted Paul’s ship, spotlighting both the fury of natural forces and the greater power of God’s providence. The lone occurrence of the word therefore carries enduring significance, reminding believers that no tempest—literal or figurative—can overturn the purposes of God or silence the testimony of His servants.

Forms and Transliterations
τυφωνικος τυφωνικός τυφωνικὸς τύχη tuphonikos tuphōnikos typhonikos typhonikòs typhōnikos typhōnikòs
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 27:14 Adj-NMS
GRK: αὐτῆς ἄνεμος τυφωνικὸς ὁ καλούμενος
NAS: down from the land a violent wind,
KJV: against it a tempestuous wind, called
INT: it a wind tempestuous called

Strong's Greek 5189
1 Occurrence


τυφωνικὸς — 1 Occ.

5188
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