name
Uncommon
Bethesda
buh-THEHZ-duh
Bethesda (name) means a pool in Jerusalem mentioned in the New Testament, associated with a healing miracle. Example: “The Gospel of John describes a man healed at the pool of Bethesda.”
name
1
A pool in Jerusalem mentioned in the New Testament, associated with a healing miracle.
"The Gospel of John describes a man healed at the pool of Bethesda."
noun
1
Any place whose waters are believed to have healing properties, by extension from the biblical pool.
"Time was when this Bethesda too was curative, a sweet oasis in a parched and driven city. The day we went we found the fountain had been shut off."
— Garry Wills, Values Americans live by (1978)
"Locals call the spring their own little Bethesda."
How to use Bethesda
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA biblical healing pool, and by extension, any spring or spa believed to have curative waters.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Bethesda.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- Bethesdas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The Gospel of John describes a man healed at the pool of _____.
Etymology
From Aramaic, traditionally translated as "house of grace" or "house of mercy."
Frequently asked questions
What does “Bethesda” mean?
The word “Bethesda” means a pool in Jerusalem mentioned in the New Testament, associated with a healing miracle. In plain terms, a biblical healing pool, and by extension, any spring or spa believed to have curative waters.
How do you pronounce “Bethesda”?
“Bethesda” is pronounced buh-THEHZ-duh (/bəˈθɛz.də/ in IPA).
How do you use “Bethesda” in a sentence?
Here is “Bethesda” used in a sentence: “The Gospel of John describes a man healed at the pool of Bethesda.”
What part of speech is “Bethesda”?
Depending on how it is used, “Bethesda” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Bethesda” come from?
The word “Bethesda” comes from Aramaic. From Aramaic, traditionally translated as "house of grace" or "house of mercy.".
Is “Bethesda” a common word?
“Bethesda” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Bethesda” have?
“Bethesda” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a pool in Jerusalem mentioned in the New Testament, associated with a healing miracle.
