UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to cause to foam up

Semantic entry: 14.29

Semantic domains: Physical Events and States

Subdomains: Events Involving Liquids and Dry Masses

Definition: to cause foam to occur on the surface of a liquid

Notes: ἐπαφρίζω occurs in the NT only in RV JDE 1:13 · LV JDE 1:13 · Read together JDE 1:13 in a figurative context. It probably differs from ἀφρίζω (14.28: ἀφρίζω) in emphasizing the greater degree or extent of foam on the surface.|In some languages the type of foam which would be referred to in RV JDE 1:13 · LV JDE 1:13 · Read together JDE 1:13 is called ‘the saliva of the waves’ or ‘the whiteness of the waves.’ Since foaming at the mouth is also regarded as a sign of anger, it is possible to speak in some languages of the foam of the waves as being ‘the anger of the waves.’ In other languages one may speak simply of ‘the whiteness of the waves.’