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Word Studies

G5590 -- psyche (ψυχή)

Original: ψυχή Transliteration: psyche Pronunciation: psoo-khay Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From psykhō; breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only)

Translations (87 occurrences, 12 unique translations)

Translation Count Percentage
soul 32 36.8%
life 25 28.7%
souls 18 20.7%
lives 4 4.6%
the soul 1 1.1%
Soul 1 1.1%
their minds 1 1.1%
the heart 1 1.1%
heartily 1 1.1%
of soul 1 1.1%
of the soul 1 1.1%
minds 1 1.1%

Key Observations

  • Greek equivalent of Hebrew nephesh (H5315)
  • Translated "life" nearly as often as "soul" -- the word means "life" or "the living being"
  • In Rev 6:9, psychas = "souls" = the lives/blood of the slain
  • In Rev 20:4, psychas = "souls" of beheaded martyrs -- same word, same group
  • In Rev 12:11, psychas = "lives" ("loved not their lives unto the death")
  • In Rev 16:3, "every living soul died" (psyche = living creature)
  • The word is used for animals in Rev 8:9 ("the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life [psyche], died")

Key Verses in Revelation

  • Rev 6:9 -- "the souls [psychas] of them that were slain"
  • Rev 12:11 -- "they loved not their lives [psychas] unto the death"
  • Rev 16:3 -- "every living soul [psyche] died in the sea"
  • Rev 18:13 -- merchandise includes "slaves, and souls [psychas] of men"
  • Rev 20:4 -- "the souls [psychas] of them that were beheaded"

LXX Connection

The LXX uses psyche to translate nephesh throughout the OT. The nephesh-blood equation (Lev 17:11,14; Gen 9:4; Deu 12:23) carries into the NT: psyche = nephesh = blood = life.

G2379 -- thysiastērion (θυσιαστήριον)

Original: θυσιαστήριον Transliteration: thysiastērion Pronunciation: thoo-see-as-tay-ree-on Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: From a derivative of thyō (to sacrifice); a place of sacrifice, i.e. an altar

Translations (22 occurrences, 3 unique translations)

Translation Count Percentage
altar 20 90.9%
altars 1 4.5%
an altar 1 4.5%

Key Observations

  • Derived from thysia (sacrifice) -- etymologically a "sacrifice-place"
  • Used for both the OT altar (Mat 23:35; Luk 11:51; 1Co 9:13; Heb 7:13) and the heavenly altar in Revelation
  • In Rev 6:9, the souls are "under the altar" -- corresponding to the OT blood poured at the base/bottom of the altar (Lev 4:7,18,25,30)
  • In Rev 8:3, the golden altar is connected with the prayers of the saints
  • In Rev 16:7, the altar itself speaks ("I heard another out of the altar say") -- personification

Revelation Occurrences

  • Rev 6:9 -- souls under the altar
  • Rev 8:3 -- angel at the altar with incense/prayers
  • Rev 8:5 -- fire of the altar cast to earth
  • Rev 9:13 -- voice from the four horns of the golden altar
  • Rev 11:1 -- measuring the altar
  • Rev 14:18 -- angel from the altar with power over fire
  • Rev 16:7 -- the altar speaks: "true and righteous are thy judgments"

G4969 -- sphazō (σφάζω)

Original: σφάζω Transliteration: sphazō Pronunciation: sfad-zo Part of Speech: verb Definition: A primary verb; to butcher (especially an animal for food or in sacrifice)

Translations (8 occurrences, 7 unique translations)

Translation Count Percentage
that were slain 2 25.0%
it had been slain 1 12.5%
thou wast slain 1 12.5%
that was slain 1 12.5%
they should kill 1 12.5%
wounded 1 12.5%
slain 1 12.5%

Key Observations

  • A sacrificial/butchering term -- not a general word for killing
  • Used ONLY 8 times in the NT, concentrated in Revelation and 1 John
  • Creates a shared sacrificial vocabulary between the Lamb and the martyrs:
  • The Lamb: Rev 5:6 ("as it had been slain"), Rev 5:9 ("thou wast slain"), Rev 5:12 ("the Lamb that was slain")
  • The martyrs: Rev 6:9 ("them that were slain"), Rev 18:24 ("all that were slain upon the earth")
  • Abel: 1 Jn 3:12 ("slew his brother")
  • The beast: Rev 13:3 ("wounded to death" -- same word, parodying the Lamb)
  • General: Rev 6:4 ("they should kill one another")

Significance

The use of the same word (sphazō) for both Christ and the martyrs places the martyrs in a sacrificial framework. Their deaths are presented as sacrificial offerings, paralleling the Lamb's sacrifice. This is consistent with the imagery of their blood/lives being found at the base of the altar.

G2896 -- krazō (κράζω)

Original: κράζω Transliteration: krazō Pronunciation: krad-zo Part of Speech: verb Definition: A primary verb; properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e. (genitive case) to call aloud

Translations (52 occurrences, 19 unique translations)

Translation Count Percentage
cried 13 25.0%
they cried out 6 11.5%
crying 6 11.5%
he cried 5 9.6%
cried out 5 9.6%
they cried 2 3.8%
crying out 2 3.8%
and cried 2 3.8%
(other variants) 11 21.2%

Key Observations

  • A loud, urgent cry -- not ordinary speech
  • Used in Rev 6:10 for the souls' cry: "they cried with a loud voice"
  • The LXX uses krazō to translate Hebrew tsa'aq/za'aq -- the cry for justice
  • Key parallel: James 5:4 -- withheld wages "crieth" (same word family) -- the wages themselves cry, not a person (personification)
  • Key parallel: Genesis 4:10 -- Abel's blood "crieth" (LXX: krazō) from the ground
  • Also used in Rev 7:2,10; 10:3; 12:2; 14:15; 18:18; 19:17

Personification Pattern

The krazō word in Gen 4:10 (LXX) and Jas 5:4 establishes a pattern where non-personal subjects (blood, wages) "cry out" -- forensic/juridical testimony rather than literal vocalization. Rev 6:10 follows the same pattern.

G373 -- anapauō (ἀναπαύω)

Original: ἀναπαύω Transliteration: anapauō Pronunciation: an-ap-ow-o Part of Speech: verb Definition: From ana and pauō; (reflexively) to repose (literally or figuratively: be exempt, remain); by implication, to refresh

Translations (13 occurrences, 10 unique translations)

Translation Count Percentage
rest 4 30.8%
will give [rest] 1 7.7%
take thine ease 1 7.7%
they have refreshed 1 7.7%
was refreshed 1 7.7%
are refreshed 1 7.7%
refresh 1 7.7%
resteth 1 7.7%
they should rest 1 7.7%
they may rest 1 7.7%

Key Observations

  • Means to rest, repose, cease from activity, be refreshed
  • Used in Rev 6:11 -- "they should rest yet for a little season"
  • Used in Rev 14:13 -- "that they may rest from their labours"
  • These two uses in Revelation describe the same condition: the dead in the Lord resting
  • Compare with Dan 12:13 (Hebrew nuach): "thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days" -- rest now, resurrection later
  • The rest-then-resurrection pattern is consistent with death as unconscious sleep

NT Occurrences

  • Mat 11:28 -- "Come unto me... I will give you rest"
  • Mat 26:45 / Mrk 14:41 -- "Sleep on now, and take your rest"
  • Mrk 6:31 -- "Come ye yourselves... and rest a while"
  • Luk 12:19 -- "take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry"
  • 1Co 16:18 -- "they have refreshed my spirit"
  • 2Co 7:13 -- "his spirit was refreshed by you all"
  • Phm 1:7,20 -- "refresh my bowels in the Lord"
  • 1Pe 4:14 -- "the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you"
  • Rev 6:11 -- "they should rest yet for a little season"
  • Rev 14:13 -- "that they may rest from their labours"

G1556 -- ekdikeō (ἐκδικέω)

Original: ἐκδικέω Transliteration: ekdikeō Pronunciation: ek-dik-eh-o Part of Speech: verb Definition: From ekdikos; to vindicate, retaliate, punish

Translations (6 occurrences, 5 unique translations)

Translation Count Percentage
avenge 2 33.3%
Avenge 1 16.7%
I will avenge 1 16.7%
to revenge 1 16.7%
hath avenged 1 16.7%

Key Observations

  • Means to carry out justice, vindicate, avenge
  • The martyrs' cry in Rev 6:10 uses this word: "dost thou not judge and avenge [ekdikeis] our blood"
  • The ANSWER to this cry comes in Rev 19:2: "hath avenged [exedikēsen] the blood of his servants at her hand" -- same word, completing the narrative arc
  • The OT background: Deu 32:43 -- "he will avenge the blood of his servants"
  • Also: 2 Ki 9:7 -- "that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets"

NT Occurrences

  • Luk 18:3 -- widow: "Avenge me of mine adversary"
  • Luk 18:5 -- "I will avenge her"
  • Rom 12:19 -- "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord"
  • 2Co 10:6 -- "having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience"
  • Rev 6:10 -- "dost thou not judge and avenge our blood"
  • Rev 19:2 -- "hath avenged the blood of his servants"

The Vindication Arc

Rev 6:10 (cry for vindication) --> Rev 16:5-7 (vindication affirmed by the altar) --> Rev 19:2 (vindication accomplished). The same word (ekdikeō) bookends this narrative arc.

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