Greek word · G2978

λαῖλαψ

lailaps

storm

A violent, gusting storm: a squall or whirlwind, usually with turbulent wind and often rain or dark cloud.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 30, 2026

What it means

λαῖλαψ, -απος, ἡ

a hurricane, whirlwind: Mark 4:37, Luke 8:23, 2 Peter 2:17.†

SYN.: θύελλα, which see, and cf. ἄνεμος (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

Range of meaning: A violent, gusting storm: a squall or whirlwind, usually with turbulent wind and often rain or dark cloud. It means a sudden, furious blast, not ordinary 'bad weather.' The New Testament uses it only three times: here, in the parallel at Luke 8:23 ('a squall of wind came down onto the lake'), and in 2 Peter 2:17 ('mists driven by a storm').
Against the English: 'Storm' (KJV, WEB) is accurate but general. 'Squall' (NIV) and 'gale' (NASB) better capture how sudden and gusty it is. 'Windstorm' (ESV, BSB) is a good match for the full phrase 'squall of wind.'
Used elsewhere in the period: Classical Greek uses it from Homer onward for a dark, driving tempest (LSJ). In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) it is the storm associated with God's presence. The LORD answers Job 'through the λαῖλαψ and clouds' (Job 38:1; compare 40:6). Elijah is taken up 'in a λαῖλαψ of fire' (Sirach 48:9, 12). In Wisdom 5:23 a λαῖλαψ is the force that 'winnows' the wicked.

Range of meaning: λαῖλαψ is a violent squall, a whirlwind or hurricane-force gust. ἐλαύνω means to drive or push something along, used of ships driven by winds, of rowing, or of a demon driving a man into the wilderness (Luke 8:29).
Against the English: 'Driven by a storm' (BSB, NIV, ESV, NASB, WEB) is accurate. KJV's 'carried with a tempest' is fine but gentler. YLT's 'by a tempest driven' keeps the Greek word order.
Used elsewhere in the period: λαῖλαψ is the storm on the Sea of Galilee in Mark 4:37 and Luke 8:23. In the LXX it is used at Job 38:1 (God answers 'out of the whirlwind') and Job 21:18, where the wicked are 'like chaff that the storm carries away'. ἐλαύνω is used in James 3:4 of ships 'driven by strong winds'.

Mark · 1

Mark 4:37 λαῖλαψ a storm

Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped.

Here: A fierce, sudden, gusting storm, the kind that whips up with swirling wind and rain. It is not a steady bad-weather front. In the Greek Old Testament this is the storm God speaks out of in Job 38:1.

Luke · 1

Luke 8:23 λαῖλαψ a storm

As they sailed, He fell asleep, and a windstorm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

2 Peter · 1

2 Peter 2:17 λαίλαπος storm

These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.

Here: A sudden violent wind, the same word used for the squall that hit the disciples' boat on the lake (Mark 4:37). Mist cannot stand up to it.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.