Word Studies¶
G4592 — σημεῖον (semeion) — sign/wonder¶
Original: σημεῖον Transliteration: sēmeion Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: An indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally; a sign, miracle, wonder, token. BLB Count: 77 occurrences
Translations (60 KJV occurrences)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| signs | 17 | 28.3% |
| a sign | 13 | 21.7% |
| sign | 13 | 21.7% |
| miracles | 5 | 8.3% |
| miracle | 3 | 5.0% |
| wonder | 2 | 3.3% |
Usage in Revelation¶
- Rev 12:1 — "And there appeared a great wonder [semeion] in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun..."
- Rev 12:3 — "And there appeared another wonder [semeion] in heaven; and behold a great red dragon..."
- Rev 13:13 — great wonders
- Rev 15:1 — another sign in heaven, great and marvellous
- Rev 16:14 — spirits of devils working miracles
- Rev 19:20 — false prophet that wrought miracles
Significance for Rev 12¶
The KJV translates semeion as "wonder" in Rev 12:1,3, but the standard translation is "sign." Both the woman AND the dragon are introduced as "signs" (semeia) — they are symbolic representations, not literal entities. This signals the visionary, apocalyptic genre and the need for symbolic interpretation.
G1404 — δράκων (drakon) — dragon¶
Original: δράκων Transliteration: drakōn Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: Probably from derkomai (to look); a fabulous kind of serpent; a dragon. BLB Count: 13 occurrences — ALL in Revelation
All 13 Occurrences¶
| Verse | Context |
|---|---|
| Rev 12:3 | "a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns" |
| Rev 12:4 | "the dragon stood before the woman...to devour her child" |
| Rev 12:7 | "Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought" |
| Rev 12:9 | "the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan" |
| Rev 12:13 | "when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth" |
| Rev 12:16 | "the earth...swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out" |
| Rev 12:17 | "the dragon was wroth with the woman" |
| Rev 13:2 | "the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority" |
| Rev 13:4 | "they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast" |
| Rev 13:11 | "he spake as a dragon" |
| Rev 16:13 | "unclean spirits like frogs...out of the mouth of the dragon" |
| Rev 20:2 | "he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan" |
Distribution¶
- 8 of 13 occurrences are in Revelation 12 (62%)
- 3 in Rev 13 (dragon gives power to the beast)
- 1 in Rev 16 (unholy trinity: dragon, beast, false prophet)
- 1 in Rev 20 (dragon bound for 1000 years)
Identification Chain¶
Rev 12:9 and 20:2 provide the definitive four-fold identification: 1. ὁ δράκων ὁ μέγας — the great dragon 2. ὁ ὄφις ὁ ἀρχαῖος — the ancient serpent (= Gen 3) 3. ὁ καλούμενος Διάβολος — the one called Devil (slanderer) 4. ὁ Σατανᾶς — Satan (adversary)
G3789 — ὄφις (ophis) — serpent¶
Original: ὄφις Transliteration: ophis Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: Probably from optanomai (through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake, serpent. BLB Count: 14 occurrences
Key Occurrences¶
| Verse | Context |
|---|---|
| Gen 3:1 (LXX) | "the serpent was more subtil than any beast" |
| Mat 10:16 | "be ye wise as serpents" |
| Jhn 3:14 | "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness" |
| 2 Cor 11:3 | "the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty" |
| Rev 12:9 | "that old serpent, called the Devil" |
| Rev 12:14 | "nourished...from the face of the serpent" |
| Rev 12:15 | "the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood" |
| Rev 20:2 | "that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan" |
Genesis-Revelation Connection¶
The use of ophis with the adjective archaios ("ancient/old") in Rev 12:9 and 20:2 creates a direct link to the serpent of Genesis 3. Paul makes the same connection in 2 Cor 11:3 ("the serpent beguiled Eve"). The dragon IS the Genesis serpent — the same adversary who attacked the first woman now attacks the apocalyptic woman.
G2540 — καιρός (kairos) — time/season¶
Original: καιρός Transliteration: kairos Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: An occasion, i.e., set or proper time. BLB Count: 87 occurrences
Translations (80 KJV occurrences)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| time | 37 | 46.2% |
| times | 7 | 8.8% |
| the time | 6 | 7.5% |
| season | 4 | 5.0% |
| seasons | 3 | 3.8% |
Usage in Rev 12:14¶
"...where she is nourished for kairos [time] and kairous [times] and hemisu kairou [half a time]"
This construction directly quotes the LXX of Daniel 7:25. The Aramaic 'iddan (H5732) is rendered as kairos in the Greek. BDB defines 'iddan as "a set time; technically, a year," confirming that "time, times, half a time" = 1 + 2 + 0.5 = 3.5 years = 1260 days (using 360-day prophetic year).
Rev 12:12 Usage¶
"he knoweth that he hath but a short time [kairos]" — Satan's time is limited after his expulsion.
G3062 — λοιπός (loipos) — rest/remaining/remnant¶
Original: λοιπός Transliteration: loipos Part of Speech: adjective Definition: Remaining ones; other, rest, remnant, residue. BLB Count: 41 occurrences
Translations (39 KJV occurrences)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| other | 13 | 33.3% |
| rest | 10 | 25.6% |
| others | 6 | 15.4% |
| remnant | 3 | 7.7% |
| residue | 1 | 2.6% |
| which remain | 1 | 2.6% |
"Remnant" Translations¶
The KJV translates loipos as "remnant" in only three verses: 1. Rev 11:13 — "the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven" 2. Rev 12:17 — "to make war with the remnant of her seed" 3. Rev 19:21 — "the remnant were slain with the sword"
Significance for Rev 12:17¶
In Rev 12:17, the "remnant of her seed" (ton loipon tou spermatos autes) refers to those who remain AFTER the 1260-day/year persecution. They are the survivors, the residual offspring of the woman. The genitive construction "of her seed" (tou spermatos autes) connects directly to Genesis 3:15 — "her seed" (zar'ah, H2233 / sperma, G4690).
G4690 — σπέρμα (sperma) — seed/offspring¶
Original: σπέρμα Transliteration: sperma Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: Something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring. BLB Count: 44 occurrences
Translations (40 KJV occurrences)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| seed | 27 | 67.5% |
| the seed | 7 | 17.5% |
| seeds | 2 | 5.0% |
Key Theological Uses¶
| Verse | Usage |
|---|---|
| Gen 3:15 (LXX/quoted) | "her seed" — the Protoevangelium |
| Gen 13:15; 17:8 | Abrahamic promise to Abraham's seed |
| Gal 3:16 | "to thy seed, which is Christ" — Paul identifies the seed as Christ |
| Gal 3:29 | "then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs" |
| Rev 12:17 | "the remnant of her seed" — the woman's remaining offspring |
Genesis 3:15 to Revelation 12:17 Connection¶
- Gen 3:15: enmity between serpent and woman, between "thy seed" and "her seed"
- Rev 12:17: dragon (= serpent) makes war with "the remnant of her seed"
- The Hebrew zera (H2233) in Gen 3:15 is the exact semantic equivalent of sperma (G4690) in Rev 12:17
- In Gen 3:15, the singular "he" (hu) points to Christ as the primary seed
- In Rev 12:17, the "remnant of her seed" are the collective followers of Christ who remain after the persecution
G4165 — ποιμαίνω (poimaino) — to shepherd/rule¶
Original: ποιμαίνω Transliteration: poimainō Part of Speech: verb Definition: To tend as a shepherd; figuratively, to supervise, rule, feed. BLB Count: 11 occurrences
All Occurrences¶
| Verse | Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Mat 2:6 | "shall rule" | Bethlehem prophecy — ruler of Israel |
| Luk 17:7 | "feeding cattle" | parable |
| Jhn 21:16 | "Feed" | Jesus to Peter: "Feed my sheep" |
| Act 20:28 | "to feed" | Paul: "feed the church of God" |
| 1 Cor 9:7 | "feedeth" | who feeds a flock |
| 1 Pet 5:2 | "Feed" | elders: "Feed the flock of God" |
| Jude 1:12 | "feeding" | false teachers "feeding themselves" |
| Rev 2:27 | "he shall rule" | "he shall rule them with a rod of iron" |
| Rev 7:17 | "shall feed" | the Lamb shall feed/lead them |
| Rev 12:5 | "to rule" | "who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron" |
| Rev 19:15 | "he shall rule" | "he shall rule them with a rod of iron" |
"Rod of Iron" Passages (connecting Psalm 2:9 to Revelation)¶
Three verses use poimaino with "rod of iron" (en rhabdo sidera): 1. Rev 2:27 — promise to overcomers at Thyatira (quoting Ps 2:9) 2. Rev 12:5 — the man child who is to rule all nations 3. Rev 19:15 — Christ at His second coming
All three are allusions to Psalm 2:9: "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron." The use of poimaino (shepherd) rather than the Hebrew ra'a (break/shatter) reflects the LXX reading. The man child of Rev 12:5 is explicitly identified as the one who fulfills Psalm 2:9 — this can only be Christ.
G1785 — ἐντολή (entole) — commandment¶
Original: ἐντολή Transliteration: entolē Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: Injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription; commandment. BLB Count: 71 occurrences
Usage in Revelation¶
| Verse | Text |
|---|---|
| Rev 12:17 | "which keep the commandments of God" |
| Rev 14:12 | "they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" |
| Rev 22:14 | "Blessed are they that do his commandments" |
Prior Study Finding (law-28-revelation-commandments)¶
- Entole with the definite article ("the commandments of God") = Decalogue in 43/43 identifiable NT instances
- 1 Cor 7:19 uses the identical phrase while explicitly excluding ceremonial content
- Rev 14:7 creation-worship language echoes Exo 20:11 (Fourth Commandment)
- The "commandments of God" in Rev 12:17 and 14:12 refer to the moral law (Ten Commandments)
G3141 — μαρτυρία (martyria) — testimony¶
Original: μαρτυρία Transliteration: martyria Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: Evidence given (judicially or generally); record, report, testimony, witness. BLB Count: 37 occurrences
Usage in Revelation (11 occurrences)¶
| Verse | Text |
|---|---|
| Rev 1:2 | "the testimony of Jesus Christ" |
| Rev 1:9 | "for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ" |
| Rev 6:9 | "slain for the word of God and the testimony which they held" |
| Rev 11:7 | "when they shall have finished their testimony" |
| Rev 12:11 | "by the word of their testimony" |
| Rev 12:17 | "have the testimony of Jesus Christ" |
| Rev 19:10 | "thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus" |
| Rev 19:10 | "the testimony of Jesus IS the spirit of prophecy" |
| Rev 20:4 | "the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God" |
The Defining Formula in Rev 19:10¶
"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (he gar martyria Iesou estin to pneuma tes propheteias). This genitive construction (martyria Iesou) can be read as: - Subjective genitive: the testimony WHICH Jesus bears (the testimony originating from Jesus) - Objective genitive: the testimony ABOUT Jesus
In Rev 19:10, the equation with "spirit of prophecy" favors the subjective genitive — it is the prophetic testimony that comes FROM Jesus to His people.
H5732 — עִדָּן (iddan) — time (Aramaic)¶
Original: עִדָּן Transliteration: iddan Part of Speech: masculine noun (Aramaic) Definition: A set time; technically, a year. BLB Count: 13 occurrences (all in Daniel)
BDB Definition¶
"Definite time, = year (as modern Greek χρόνος)." BDB explicitly glosses iddan as "year" in Daniel 4:13,20,22,29 where "seven iddanin" = seven years (proven by Nebuchadnezzar's actual seven-year period of insanity).
Key Occurrences¶
| Verse | Text | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 4:13,20,22,29 | "seven iddanin" | Seven years (contextually proven) |
| Dan 7:25 | "iddan ve-iddanin u-pelag iddan" | time + times + half a time = 3.5 years |
Connection to Greek kairos¶
The LXX renders iddan as kairos (G2540). Rev 12:14 quotes the LXX of Dan 7:25: "kairon kai kairous kai hemisu kairou" = "time and times and half a time." This verbal quotation proves that Revelation 12:14 deliberately references Daniel 7:25.
H4150 — מוֹעֵד (moed) — appointed time¶
Original: מוֹעֵד Transliteration: moed Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: Appointment, fixed time or season; specifically a festival; an assembly. BLB Count: 223 occurrences
Usage in Daniel 12:7¶
"moed moadim va-chetsi" = "appointed time, appointed times, and a half" This is the Hebrew equivalent of the Aramaic "iddan ve-iddanin u-pelag iddan" (Dan 7:25).
Both yield the same calculation: 1 + 2 + 0.5 = 3.5 years = 1260 days = 42 months.
The Seven-Reference Unity¶
| Reference | Expression | Language | Calculation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dan 7:25 | iddan ve-iddanin u-pelag iddan | Aramaic | 1+2+0.5 = 3.5 years |
| Dan 12:7 | moed moadim va-chetsi | Hebrew | 1+2+0.5 = 3.5 years |
| Rev 11:2 | forty and two months | Greek | 42 months |
| Rev 11:3 | 1260 days | Greek | 1260 days |
| Rev 12:6 | 1260 days | Greek | 1260 days |
| Rev 12:14 | kairon kai kairous kai hemisu kairou | Greek | 1+2+0.5 = 3.5 years |
| Rev 13:5 | forty and two months | Greek | 42 months |
All = 3.5 years x 360 days = 1260 days = 42 months x 30 days.