Bible Dictionary
Deep
In Scripture, the deep can mean the grave or abyss, the depths of the sea, the primeval watery waste, or the bottomless pit. Its meaning depends on the passage and may describe either earthly depths or the realm of judgment.
Definition
The deep can mean the grave or abyss, the depths of the sea, the primeval watery waste, a subterranean reservoir of water, or the bottomless pit. Its meaning is determined by the context in which it occurs.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses the deep for the sea, the waters present at creation, underground waters, the abyss associated with demons, and the bottomless pit connected with judgment.
Historical Background
The Hebrew term may describe water in commotion, the primeval watery waste, the sea, or subterranean waters. The Greek term is also rendered “abyss.”
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Used to denote (1) the grave or the abyss (Rom. 10:7; Luke 8:31); (2) the deepest part of the sea (Ps. 69:15); (3) the chaos mentioned in Gen. 1:2; (4) the bottomless pit, hell (Rev. 9:1, 2; 11:7; 20:13).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(tehom; abussos, Lu 8:31 the King James Version; Ro 10:7 the King James Version; bathos, Lu 5:4; buthos, 2Co 11:25):</p><p>The Hebrew word ("water in commotion") is used</p><p>(1) of the primeval watery waste (Ge 1:2), where some suggest a connection with Babylonian Tiamat in the creation-epic;</p><p>(2) of the sea (Isa 51:10 and commonly);</p><p>(3) of the subterranean reservoir of water (Ge 7:11; 8:2; 49:25; De 33:13; Eze 31:4, etc.). In the Revised Version (British and American) the Greek word first noted is rendered, literally, "abyss." See ABYSS; also ASTRONOMY, sec. III, 7.</p>