Original Word: κόλπος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: kolpos
Pronunciation: KOL-pos
Phonetic Spelling: (kol'-pos)
Definition: Bosom, chest, bay, fold
Meaning: (a) sing. and plur: bosom; (sinus) the overhanging fold of the garment used as a pocket, (b) a bay, gulf.

bosom, breast, bay

Apparently a primary word; the bosom; by analogy, a bay -- bosom, creek.

2859 kólpos – properly, the upper part of the chest where a garment naturally folded to form a "pocket" – called the "bosom," the position synonymous with intimacy (union).

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
the bosom
NASB Translation
bay (1), bosom (4), lap (1).

STRONGS NT 2859: κόλπος

κόλπος, κόλπου, ὁ (apparently akin to κοῖλος hollow, (yet cf. Vanicek, p. 179; Liddell and Scott, under the word)), Hebrew חֵיק; the bosom (Latinsinus), i. e. as in the Greek writings from Homer down:

1. the front of the body between the arms hence ἀνακεῖσθαι ἐν τῷ κόλπῳ τίνος, of the one who so reclines at table that his head covers the bosom as it were, the chest, of the one next him (cf. B. D. under the word ), John 13:23. Hence the figurative expressions, ἐν τοῖς κόλποις (on the plural, which occurs as early as Homer, Iliad 9, 570, cf. Winers Grammar, § 27, 3; (Buttmann, 24 (21))) τοῦ Ἀβραάμ εἶναι, to obtain the seat next to Abraham, i. e. to be partaker of the same blessedness as Abraham in paradise, Luke 16:23; ἀποφέρεσθαι ... εἰς τόν κόλπον Ἀβραάμ, to be borne away to the enjoyment of the same felicity with Abraham, Luke 16:22 (οὕτω γάρ παθόντας — according to another reading θανόντας — Ἀβραάμ καί Ἰσαάκ καί Ἰακώβ ὑποδέξονται εἰς τούς κόλπους αὐτῶν, 4 Macc. 13:16; (see B. D. under the phrase, Abraham's bosom, and) on the rabbinical phrase אברהם שׁל בּחיקו, in Abraham's bosom, to designate bliss in paradise, cf. Lightfoot, Horace, Hebrew et Talmud., p. 851ff); ὁ ὤν εἰς τόν κόλπον τοῦ πατρός, lying (turned) unto the bosom of his father (God), i. e. in the closest and most intimate relation to the Father, John 1:18 (Winers Grammar, 415 (387)); cf. Cicero, ad div. 14,4iste vero sit in sinu semper et complexu meo.

2. the bosom of a garment, i. e. the hollow formed by the upper forepart of a rather loose garment bound by a girdle, used for keeping and carrying things (the fold or pocket; cf. B. D. under the word ) (Exodus 4:6; Proverbs 6:27); so, figuratively, μέτρον καλόν διδόναι εἰς τόν κόλπον τίνος, to repay one liberally, Luke 6:38 (ἀποδιδόναι εἰς τόν κόλπον, Isaiah 65:6; Jeremiah 39:18 ()).

3. a bay of the sea (cf. Italiangolfo (English gulf — which may be only the modern representatives of the Greek word)): Acts 27:39.

Word Origin: Derived from the primary verb κέλλω (kellō), meaning "to roll" or "to fold."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek "κόλπος" does not have a direct one-to-one equivalent in Hebrew, but similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words such as חֵיק (cheq, Strong's H2436), which means "bosom" or "lap," and is used in contexts that convey closeness and affection, such as in Deuteronomy 13:6 and Isaiah 40:11.

Usage: In the New Testament, "κόλπος" is used to describe a place of comfort and closeness, often in a relational or familial context. It appears in passages that convey intimacy, protection, or a special relationship.

Context: The Greek word "κόλπος" is used in several key New Testament passages to convey a sense of intimacy and closeness. One of the most notable uses is in the Gospel of John, where it describes the relationship between Jesus and the Father, as well as the beloved disciple's relationship with Jesus.

In John 1:18, the term is used to describe the intimate relationship between Jesus and God the Father: "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side (κόλπος), has made Him known." Here, "κόλπος" signifies the close and unique relationship between the Father and the Son, emphasizing Jesus' divine nature and His role in revealing God to humanity.

Another significant use of "κόλπος" is found in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:22-23. In this passage, Lazarus is described as being carried to "Abraham's bosom (κόλπος)" after his death, symbolizing a place of comfort and rest in the afterlife. This imagery conveys the idea of being in a place of honor and security, akin to being embraced by a patriarchal figure.

The term also appears in John 13:23, where the beloved disciple is described as reclining "at Jesus' bosom (κόλπος)" during the Last Supper. This usage highlights the special bond and closeness between Jesus and the disciple, illustrating a relationship of trust and affection.

Overall, "κόλπος" in the New Testament is a powerful metaphor for intimacy, protection, and the deep relational bonds that exist within the divine and human spheres.

κολποις κόλποις κολπον κόλπον κόλπου κόλπους κολπω κόλπω κόλπῳ κόλπωμα kolpo kolpō kólpoi kólpōi kolpois kólpois kolpon kólponInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts