πτῶσις
ptōsis
fall
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe word πτῶσις (ptōsis) is a noun that means "fall." It falls under the semantic domain of Movement & Travel, indicating its focus on physical actions involving movement. This term is used twice in the Bible. Given its literal definition, the range of usage for πτῶσις is relatively narrow. However, its application might encompass various contexts where falling is a key element. This could include actions like toppling, falling to the ground, or plummeting down. The significance of πτῶσις lies in its capacity to evoke a sense of suddenness and gravity. It may be used to describe physical consequences of actions, potentially symbolizing loss of control, power, or stability. By choosing this word, the biblical authors may be emphasizing the importance of balance, stability, and the potential consequences of one's actions.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences across the text
The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
Luke 2:34and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.