ἄμμος

From the study of Matthew 7:26

Range of meaning

Sand, sandy ground. In biblical images, sand stands for things beyond counting (Gen 22:17), for heaviness (Prov 27:3), and, as here, for unstable ground.

Against the English

All versions say 'sand', which is correct. The modern mental picture is usually a beach. The story's own details, rain and 'rivers' rushing in (v. 27), point to a dry valley floor or flood plain that winter storms turn into a torrent.

How it drifted

Not a drift in meaning, but in the picture: readers far from the climate of the land of Israel miss why anyone would build on sand at all. In summer it is level, soft, easy to dig and close to where you want to be.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke's version (6:48–49) puts the same contrast differently. One man 'dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock'; the other 'built a house on the ground without a foundation', and 'the river' burst against it. Rabbinic literature has a similar builder parable, attributed to the 2nd-century teacher Elisha ben Abuyah (Avot de-Rabbi Natan A 24). In it, a man who learns Torah and does good works is like one who builds with stones below and bricks above, and floodwaters do not move it. One who learns without good works builds with bricks first, and 'even a little water' overturns it. That text is later than Matthew, but it shows the image was at home in Jewish teaching.

From the study of Revelation 20:8

Range of meaning

Sand of the sea (seashore). It is a proverbial picture of something that cannot be counted.

Against the English

BSB 'sand of the seashore' gives the sense well. KJV, WEB and YLT 'sand of the sea' is literal.

Used elsewhere in the period

The image is used for Abraham's promised offspring (Genesis 22:17; 32:12) and for Israel under Solomon (1 Kings 4:20). It is used just as often for enemy hosts: the northern Canaanite coalition 'as numerous as the sand on the seashore' (Joshua 11:4), the Midianites and Amalekites (Judges 7:12) and the Philistines (1 Samuel 13:5). In each of those cases God's outnumbered people are delivered.

From the study of Romans 9:27

Range of meaning

'Sand of the sea' is a standard biblical picture of a number too large to count.

Against the English

English versions render it accurately. A modern reader may simply miss where the picture comes from.

Used elsewhere in the period

God promises Abraham offspring 'as the sand on the seashore' (Gen 22:17) and repeats it to Jacob (Gen 32:12). The image comes back for Israel's size under Solomon (1 Kgs 4:20). Hosea 2:1 (1:10) and Isaiah 10:22 both use it.