UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: cross-currents

Semantic entry: 14.32

Semantic domains: Physical Events and States

Subdomains: Events Involving Liquids and Dry Masses

Definition: two currents which meet in a body of water

Notes: Other scholars, however, interpret διθάλασσος together with τόπος as being a reef, a sandbar, or even a headland (see 1.68: διθάλασσος / 1.68: τόπος).|Cross-currents may be spoken of as ‘streams in the sea’ or ‘rivers in the sea’ or ‘two rivers that meet in the sea.’ It would be wrong, however, to use the expression ‘two rivers that meet in the sea’ if this meant merely two rivers which meet at the coastline as they flow from the interior. In this context ‘rivers’ can only refer to ‘rivers of the sea,’ in other words, ‘currents.’

Sense 2: sandbar, reef

Semantic entry: 1.68

Semantic domains: Geographical Objects and Features

Subdomains: Land in Contrast With the Sea

Definition: a bar or reef produced in an area where two currents meet

Notes: It is possible to understand τόπος διθάλασσος in RV ACT 27:41 · LV ACT 27:41 · Read together ACT 27:41 as a place of crosscurrents; see 14.32: διθάλασσος. In some languages it may be necessary to construct a descriptive equivalent for ‘sandbank,’ for example, ‘a hill of sand just beneath the surface of the water’ or ‘a ridge of sand hidden by the water.’

Collocations: τόπος διθάλασσος