"a place where any one may swim; a pond, pool, Jn. 5:2, 4, 7; 9:7*"
Definition and meaning
a place where any one may swim; a pond, pool, Jn. 5:2, 4, 7; 9:7*
In the original Greek the word is written: κολυμβήθρα
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of kolymbethra (G2861) across the King James Bible.
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,(which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
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Common questions
Strong's G2861 (kolymbethra) is a Greek word that means: a place where any one may swim; a pond, pool, Jn. 5:2, 4, 7; 9:7* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word kolymbethra (G2861) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2861 is kolymbethra, a Greek word defined as: a place where any one may swim; a pond, pool, Jn. 5:2, 4, 7; 9:7*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kolymbethra is a Greek word found in the New Testament.