5494. cheimón

Lexical Summary

cheimón: Winter, storm, tempest

Original Word: χειμών
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: cheimón
Pronunciation: khay-mone'
Phonetic Spelling: (khi-mone')
KJV: tempest, foul weather, winter
NASB: winter, storm
Word Origin: [from a derivative of cheo "to pour" (akin to the base of G5490 (χάσμα - chasm) through the idea of a channel), meaning a storm (as pouring rain)]

1. by implication, the rainy season, i.e. winter

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

tempest, foul weather, winter.

From a derivative of cheo (to pour; akin to the base of chasma through the idea of a channel), meaning a storm (as pouring rain); by implication, the rainy season, i.e. Winter -- tempest, foul weather, winter.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as cheimazó
Definition
winter, a storm
NASB Translation
storm (2), winter (4).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5494: χειμών

χειμών, χειμῶνος, ὁ (χεῖμα, and this from χέω on account of the 'pouring' rains; (others connect it with χι(ων, snow, frost (cf. Latinhiems, etc.); see Curtius, § 194; Liddell and Scott, under the word χιών, at the end)), winter;

a. stormy or rainy weather, a tempest (so from Homer down): Matthew 16:3 (Tdf. brackets WH reject the passage); Acts 27:20.

b. winter, the winter season (so from Thucydides and Aristophanes down): John 10:22; 2 Timothy 4:21; χειμῶνος, in winter (-time), in the winter (Plato, de rep. 3, p. 415 e.; Xenophon, mem. 3, 8, 9; others (cf. Winers Grammar, § 30, 11; Buttmann, § 132, 26)), Matthew 24:20; Mark 13:18.

Topical Lexicon

Semantic Range and Symbolism

Chimōn embraces both the literal season of winter and the broader idea of stormy, adverse conditions. Scripture uses the term for common meteorological observation, for travel realities in the Mediterranean world, and—by extension—for times of danger, urgency, and testing. The word therefore carries physical, historical, and spiritual resonance whenever it appears.

Occurrences in the New Testament

• Matthew 16:3 records the Lord’s rebuke of religious leaders who could read that “Today it will be stormy” yet missed the messianic “signs of the times.” Winter weather becomes a metaphor for spiritual dullness; they understood clouds but not Christ.
• John 10:22 situates the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, noting simply, “It was winter.” The remark reminds readers that the Good Shepherd chose to walk among His flock even when cold rains and piercing winds made travel uncomfortable, underscoring His incarnational nearness.
• In the Olivet Discourse Jesus instructs, “Pray that your flight will not occur in winter” (Matthew 24:20; cf. Mark 13:18). Here winter heightens the picture of eschatological urgency. Fleeing Judea would prove far more difficult when swollen wadis, icy nights, and muddy tracks multiplied hardship.
• Acts 27:20 speaks of Paul’s voyage: “Neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and with a great storm raging, we finally abandoned all hope of being saved.” The seasonal tempest—common in the late autumn Mediterranean—demonstrates how the gospel’s advance encountered uncontrollable natural forces yet ultimately prevailed through God’s providence (Acts 28:14).
• Paul later writes from Roman confinement, “Make every effort to come to me before winter” (2 Timothy 4:21). The plea conveys pastoral warmth and practical foresight: seas close, roads wash out, and an aging apostle longs for fellowship and ministry supplies (2 Timothy 4:13) ahead of the travel embargo winter would impose.

Historical and Cultural Background

In first-century Palestine the rainy season began after the Feast of Tabernacles and lasted until early spring. Roads became quagmires, fords impassable, and daylight scarce. Maritime commerce across the Aegean and Adriatic ordinarily ceased by mid-November (cf. Acts 27:9). Winter thus shaped pilgrimage schedules, agricultural rhythms, and military campaigns. Both Jewish and Roman calendars adjusted to these realities, and the New Testament writers assume that their audiences understood them.

Theological and Pastoral Implications

1. Discernment: Matthew 16:3 warns that the spiritually undiscerning can interpret atmospheric signals yet ignore redemptive ones. Believers are called to read both the sky and Scripture with accuracy.
2. Readiness: Jesus’ exhortation to pray against a winter exodus (Matthew 24:20) highlights the importance of preparedness for coming tribulation and the compassion of God, who invites prayer for mitigating circumstances.
3. Perseverance: Acts 27:20–44 portrays salvation in the midst of literal darkness and raging seas, illustrating the Lord’s sovereign care when external pressures are greatest.
4. Urgency in Ministry: Paul’s “before winter” appeal (2 Timothy 4:21) teaches that doors of service can close quickly. Believers should respond promptly to opportunities for encouragement and gospel partnership.

Lessons for Christian Living

• Observe God’s world to sharpen perception of His word; creation and revelation harmonize.
• Turn seasons of external hardship into occasions for prayer and heightened dependence.
• Value companionship and mutual support; like Paul, godly leaders need timely help.
• Anticipate eschatological events with vigilance, recognizing that practical concerns (weather, travel, supply) intertwine with prophetic fulfillment.

Prophetic and Eschatological Perspective

Winter imagery in Matthew and Mark frames the final tribulation. The coming flight will be real, yet believers are invited to pray that circumstances be tempered. The text affirms divine sovereignty without negating human responsibility; prayer influences providence even in eschatological settings.

Conclusion

Chimōn is more than a seasonal marker. In the Gospel narratives, Acts, and the Pastoral Epistles it conveys themes of discernment, danger, urgency, and comfort. Whether forecasting a storm, chronicling a perilous voyage, or hastening a beloved coworker’s visit, the Spirit employs winter imagery to call the church to alertness, compassion, and steadfast faith.

Forms and Transliterations

χειμων χειμών χειμὼν χειμωνος χειμώνος χειμῶνος χειμῶνός χείμωνός cheimon cheimōn cheimṓn cheimṑn cheimonos cheimônos cheimônós cheimōnos cheimō̂nos cheimō̂nós

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 16:3 N-NMS
GRK: πρωί Σήμερον χειμών πυρράζει γὰρ
NAS: And in the morning, '[There will be] a storm today,
KJV: in the morning, [It will be] foul weather to day:
INT: at morning today a storm is red indeed

Matthew 24:20 N-GMS
GRK: φυγὴ ὑμῶν χειμῶνος μηδὲ σαββάτῳ
NAS: that your flight will not be in the winter, or
KJV: be not in the winter, neither on
INT: flight of you in winter nor on a Sabbath

Mark 13:18 N-GMS
GRK: μὴ γένηται χειμῶνος
NAS: that it may not happen in the winter.
KJV: be not in the winter.
INT: not might be in winter

John 10:22 N-NMS
GRK: τοῖς Ἰεροσολύμοις χειμὼν ἦν
KJV: and it was winter.
INT: Jerusalem winter it was

Acts 27:20 N-GMS
GRK: πλείονας ἡμέρας χειμῶνός τε οὐκ
NAS: small storm was assailing
KJV: no small tempest lay on [us], all
INT: many days storm and no

2 Timothy 4:21 N-GMS
GRK: Σπούδασον πρὸ χειμῶνος ἐλθεῖν Ἀσπάζεταί
NAS: to come before winter. Eubulus greets
KJV: before winter. Eubulus
INT: Be earnest before winter to come Greets

Strong's Greek 5494
6 Occurrences

χειμών — 2 Occ.
χειμῶνος — 4 Occ.