Skip to main content

    Death

    θάνατος (thanatos)

    Separation — physical, spiritual, and eternal — the consequence of sin.

    Greek
    Strong's G2288
    Pronunciation: THAH-nah-tos
    Quick Answer

    Thanatos is the Greek word for death, meaning separation. Scripture describes physical death (body from soul), spiritual death (the soul from God), and eternal death (permanent separation from God's presence).

    "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." — Romans 6:23 (KJV)

    Key Verses

    Romans 6:23

    “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
    Read in context

    1 Corinthians 15:55

    “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
    Read in context

    Revelation 21:4

    “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death.”
    Read in context

    Strong's Concordance

    Strong's G2288 — Death (θάνατος (thanatos))

    Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where θάνατος (thanatos) appears.

    Open Strong's G2288

    Etymology and Original Meaning

    Thanatos comes from a root meaning 'to die.' In Scripture, death is not cessation of existence but separation. Physical death separates the body from the spirit. Spiritual death separates the soul from God. The 'second death' (Revelation 20:14) is eternal separation from God's presence. Death entered creation through Adam's sin (Romans 5:12) and affects every human being.

    Death in the Old Testament

    God warned Adam, 'In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die' (Genesis 2:17). Adam's disobedience brought death in all its dimensions — spiritual alienation immediately, physical mortality progressively. The Hebrew mawet (death) is often pictured as a power or domain: Sheol, the realm of the dead, is the destination of all the living (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

    Christ's Victory Over Death

    Jesus confronted death directly: He raised Lazarus (John 11), wept at the tomb, and then submitted to death Himself. His resurrection is the definitive defeat of death: 'O death, where is thy sting?' (1 Corinthians 15:55). Christ 'hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel' (2 Timothy 1:10).

    The Last Enemy Destroyed

    Paul calls death 'the last enemy that shall be destroyed' (1 Corinthians 15:26). Revelation promises a future where 'there shall be no more death' (Revelation 21:4). The believer's death is transformed from a terrifying end to a doorway — 'to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord' (2 Corinthians 5:8). Death's power is broken; its final removal is certain.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does death mean in the Bible?

    Death (thanatos) means separation — the body from the spirit (physical death), the soul from God (spiritual death), or permanent separation from God (eternal death). It is the consequence of sin.

    Did Jesus conquer death?

    Yes. Through His resurrection, Jesus defeated death's power (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). For believers, death is no longer a final end but a transition into God's presence. Death will ultimately be completely abolished (Revelation 21:4).

    Which Bible verse uses the word "Death"?

    Romans 6:23 — "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (KJV). It also appears in 1 Corinthians 15:55, Revelation 21:4.

    Why does the Greek word behind "Death" matter?

    Thanatos comes from a root meaning 'to die.' In Scripture, death is not cessation of existence but separation. English uses one word, "Death", where the Greek θάνατος (thanatos) carries the fuller sense: separation — physical, spiritual, and eternal — the consequence of sin.

    Related Words

    Resurrection
    Sin (Hamartia)

    Related Reading

    Continue your study with related content from across our library:

    Word Meaning

    Death (θάνατος (thanatos))

    Separation — physical, spiritual, and eternal — the consequence of sin.

    Strong's

    Strong's G2288 — Death

    θάνατος (thanatos) • Separation — physical, spiritual, and eternal — the consequence of sin.

    Commentary

    1 Corinthians 15:55-57 Commentary

    In-depth study • Victory Over Death

    Verses About

    Bible Verses About Victory Over Sin

    10 curated KJV verses

    Devotional

    Isaiah 25:8 — Meaning & Devotional

    Victory Over Death

    Commentary

    1 Corinthians 15:55 Commentary

    In-depth study • Victory Over Death

    ← Previous

    Sin (Hamartia)

    Next →

    Life (Zoe)

    Where to go next

    Studied the meaning of Death? Continue with these word-study and Scripture pages.