Word Studies¶
G3528 nikao — "to conquer, overcome" (CRITICAL)¶
Original: νικάω Transliteration: nikao Part of Speech: verb Definition: to subdue (literally or figuratively); conquer, overcome, prevail BLB Count: 28
Translations (22 total occurrences in KJV)¶
| Translation | Count | Verses |
|---|---|---|
| overcometh | 5 | Rev 2:11; 2:17; 2:26; 3:5; 21:7 |
| that overcometh | 3 | Rev 2:7; 3:12; 3:21 |
| overcome | 2 | Rom 12:21 (x2) |
| overcame | 2 | Rev 3:21; 12:11 |
| shall overcome | 2 | Rev 11:7; 17:14 |
| conquering | 1 | Rev 6:2 |
| conquer | 1 | Rev 6:2 |
| hath prevailed | 1 | Rev 5:5 |
| had gotten the victory | 1 | Rev 15:2 |
| Be (overcome evil) | 1 | Rom 12:21 |
| and overcome | 1 | Rev 13:7 |
| to overcome | 1 | 1 Jn 2:13/4:4 |
| mightest overcome | 1 | Rom 3:4 |
Full Revelation Distribution (17 occurrences)¶
- Rev 2:7 — "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life"
- Rev 2:11 — "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death"
- Rev 2:17 — "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna"
- Rev 2:26 — "he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end"
- Rev 3:5 — "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment"
- Rev 3:12 — "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple"
- Rev 3:21 — "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame"
- Rev 5:5 — "the Lion of the tribe of Juda... hath prevailed to open the book"
- Rev 6:2 — "he went forth conquering, and to conquer" (nikōn kai hina nikēsē)
- Rev 11:7 — "the beast... shall overcome them, and kill them"
- Rev 12:11 — "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb"
- Rev 13:7 — "to make war with the saints, and to overcome them"
- Rev 15:2 — "them that had gotten the victory over the beast"
- Rev 17:14 — "the Lamb shall overcome them"
- Rev 21:7 — "He that overcometh shall inherit all things"
Key Pattern: nikao links Christ (5:5 prevailed) -> first horseman (6:2 conquering) -> martyrs (12:11 overcame) -> overcomers in churches (2-3) -> final victory (21:7). The beast also uses nikao against saints (11:7; 13:7), creating a conquest/counter-conquest dynamic.
G4735 stephanos — "crown, wreath, chaplet"¶
Original: στέφανος Transliteration: stephanos Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: a chaplet (as twined or wreathed); a victor's crown (NOT a royal crown) BLB Count: 18
Translations¶
| Translation | Count |
|---|---|
| a crown | 6 |
| crown | 5 |
| crowns | 3 |
Revelation Occurrences¶
- Rev 2:10 — "I will give thee a crown of life"
- Rev 3:11 — "hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown"
- Rev 4:4 — "and they had on their heads crowns of gold" (24 elders)
- Rev 4:10 — "cast their crowns before the throne"
- Rev 6:2 — "a crown was given unto him" (first horseman)
- Rev 9:7 — "on their heads were as it were crowns like gold" (locust-army)
- Rev 12:1 — "upon her head a crown of twelve stars" (woman)
- Rev 14:14 — "having on his head a golden crown" (Son of man)
vs. G1238 diadema — "royal crown, diadem"¶
Original: διάδημα Transliteration: diadema BLB Count: 3 (all in Revelation) All translations: "crowns" (3x)
Revelation Occurrences: - Rev 12:3 — "seven crowns" (dragon) - Rev 13:1 — "ten crowns" (beast) - Rev 19:12 — "many crowns" (Christ at Second Coming)
Critical Distinction: The first horseman (Rev 6:2) receives a stephanos (victor's wreath), NOT a diadema (royal crown). Christ at Rev 19:12 wears diadema. This is a key differentiator between the two white-horse riders.
G2379 thysiastirion — "altar"¶
Original: θυσιαστήριον Transliteration: thysiastirion Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: a place of sacrifice, i.e., an altar BLB Count: 23
All 8 Revelation Occurrences¶
- Rev 6:9 — "I saw under the altar [tou thysiasteriou] the souls of them that were slain" — UNQUALIFIED (burnt offering altar)
- Rev 8:3a — "another angel came and stood at the altar" — UNQUALIFIED
- Rev 8:3b — "upon the golden altar [tou thysiasteriou tou chrysou] which was before the throne" — QUALIFIED as golden/incense altar
- Rev 8:5 — "filled it with fire of the altar" — UNQUALIFIED (same as 8:3a = burnt offering altar)
- Rev 9:13 — "a voice from the four horns of the golden altar [tou thysiasteriou tou chrysou]" — QUALIFIED as golden/incense altar
- Rev 11:1 — "Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar" — UNQUALIFIED
- Rev 14:18 — "another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire" — UNQUALIFIED
- Rev 16:7 — "I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments" — UNQUALIFIED (altar SPEAKS, completing vindication arc from 6:9-10)
Key Pattern: When the incense altar is meant, Revelation qualifies it with "golden" (chrysou). The unqualified "altar" in 6:9 corresponds to the burnt offering altar where blood was poured at the base (Lev 4:7,18,25,30,34), matching the hypokatō ("underneath") position of the souls.
G4973 sphragis / G4972 sphragizo — "seal" (noun/verb)¶
G4973 sphragis (noun) — "seal"¶
Original: σφραγίς Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: a signet (as fencing in or protecting from tampering); a stamp of privacy or genuineness BLB Count: 16
Revelation Occurrences: Rev 5:1,2,5,9; 6:1,3,5,7,9,12; 7:2; 8:1; 9:4; 14:1 - Dual function: (1) concealment/authority (seals on the scroll, 5:1-8:1), (2) protection/ownership (seal on the servants, 7:2-4)
G4972 sphragizo (verb) — "to seal"¶
Original: σφραγίζω Part of Speech: verb Definition: to stamp with a signet or private mark for security or preservation BLB Count: 27
Revelation Occurrences: Rev 7:3,3,4,5,6,7,8; 10:4; 20:3; 22:10 - Concentrated in Rev 7 (8 of 10 Revelation occurrences) - Also: 10:4 (seal up the thunders), 20:3 (seal Satan), 22:10 (seal NOT the book — reversal of Dan 12:4)
G2696 katasphragizo — "to seal thoroughly" (NT hapax)¶
Original: κατασφραγίζω Definition: to seal closely BLB Count: 1 Only occurrence: Rev 5:1 — the scroll "sealed with seven seals" (katasphragismenon) The intensified prefix kata- emphasizes the thoroughness of the sealing.
G1556 ekdikeo — "to avenge, vindicate"¶
Original: ἐκδικέω Transliteration: ekdikeo Part of Speech: verb Definition: to vindicate, retaliate, punish; avenge BLB Count: 6
All NT Occurrences¶
| Verse | Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Luk 18:3 | "Avenge me" | Widow to unjust judge |
| Luk 18:5 | "I will avenge her" | Unjust judge relents |
| Rom 12:19 | "I will avenge" (OT quote) | Vengeance belongs to God |
| 2 Cor 10:6 | "to revenge all disobedience" | Paul's authority |
| Rev 6:10 | "dost thou not... avenge" | Martyrs' cry — PRESENT TENSE (ekdikeis) |
| Rev 19:2 | "hath avenged" | Vindication declaration — AORIST (exedikesen) |
Tense Shift: The shift from present tense in 6:10 (ekdikeis — ongoing, unresolved) to aorist in 19:2 (exedikesen — completed action) marks the resolution of the vindication arc across the entire book.
G4969 sphazo — "to slay, slaughter, butcher"¶
Original: σφάζω Transliteration: sphazo Part of Speech: verb Definition: to butcher (especially an animal for food or in sacrifice); to slaughter BLB Count: 10
All NT Occurrences (Revelation Chain)¶
| Verse | Form | Translation | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jn 3:12 | esphaxen | "slew" | Cain slew Abel |
| Rev 5:6 | esphagmenon | "it had been slain" | The Lamb |
| Rev 5:9 | esphages | "thou wast slain" | The Lamb |
| Rev 5:12 | esphagmenon | "that was slain" | The Lamb |
| Rev 6:4 | sphaxosin | "they should kill" | Second horseman's mission |
| Rev 6:4 | — | (second use) | |
| Rev 6:9 | esphagmenon | "that were slain" | Martyrs under the altar |
| Rev 13:3 | esphagmenen | "wounded" | Beast's mortal wound |
| Rev 13:8 | esphagmenou | "slain" | Lamb slain from foundation |
| Rev 18:24 | esphagmenon | "slain" | All that were slain on earth |
Chain: Abel (1 Jn 3:12) -> Lamb (5:6,9,12) -> 2nd horseman kills (6:4) -> martyrs slain (6:9) -> beast parodies lamb's wound (13:3) -> lamb slain from foundation (13:8) -> all slain accumulated in Babylon (18:24). The vocabulary creates a sacrifice-chain linking the Lamb's self-offering to the martyrs' imitation of it.
G1203 despotes — "Master, Sovereign Lord"¶
Original: δεσπότης Transliteration: despotes Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: an absolute ruler ("despot"); lord, master BLB Count: 10
All NT Occurrences¶
| Verse | Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Luk 2:29 | "Lord" | Simeon's prayer: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart" |
| Acts 4:24 | "Lord" | Church prayer: "Lord, thou art God" |
| 1 Tim 6:1-2 | "masters" (x2) | Slaves' earthly masters |
| 2 Tim 2:21 | "master's use" | Vessel for the master |
| Tit 2:9 | "masters" | Slaves obey masters |
| 1 Pet 2:18 | "masters" | Servants subject to masters |
| 2 Pet 2:1 | "the Lord" | Denying the Lord who bought them |
| Jude 1:4 | "Lord" | Denying the only Lord God |
| Rev 6:10 | "O Lord" | Martyrs' address: "O Lord, holy and true" |
Significance: This is the ONLY occurrence of despotes in Revelation. The martyrs address God with this specific title (absolute sovereign), not the more common kyrios, emphasizing divine sovereignty over the timing of vindication.
G5404 phoinix — "palm (tree)"¶
Original: φοῖνιξ Transliteration: phoinix Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: a palm tree; palm branch BLB Count: 2
NT Occurrences¶
- John 12:13 — "Took branches of palm trees [ta baia ton phoinikon]" — Triumphal entry
- Rev 7:9 — "palms [phoinikes] in their hands" — Great multitude before the throne
Note: Acts 27:12 (Phoenix, a harbor in Crete) is the same Greek word used as a place name.
Tabernacles Connection: The only OT feast requiring palm branches is Tabernacles (Lev 23:40, using Hebrew tamar H8558). The great multitude's palms evoke this feast.
G4637 skenoō — "to tabernacle, dwell in a tent"¶
Original: σκηνόω Transliteration: skenoō Part of Speech: verb Definition: to tent or encamp; to occupy as a mansion; to reside (figuratively) BLB Count: 5
NT Occurrences¶
| Verse | Context |
|---|---|
| Jn 1:14 | "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt [eskēnōsen] among us" |
| Rev 7:15 | "he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell [skēnōsei, future] among them" |
| Rev 12:12 | "rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell [skēnountes, present ptcp] in them" |
| Rev 13:6 | "them that dwell [skēnountas, present ptcp] in heaven" |
| Rev 21:3 | "the tabernacle [skēnē, cognate noun] of God is with men, and he will dwell [skēnōsei, future] with them" |
Key: Rev 7:15 and 21:3 share the identical future form skēnōsei. The verb's root connects to skēnē (tent/tabernacle, G4633) and Hebrew sukkah (H5521, booth). "Shall tabernacle over them" in Rev 7:15 is Tabernacles vocabulary applied eschatologically.
G5515 chloros — "pale, green, yellowish-green"¶
Original: χλωρός Transliteration: chloros Part of Speech: adjective Definition: greenish, verdant, dun-colored; pale BLB Count: 4
NT Occurrences¶
| Verse | Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 6:39 | "green grass" | Feeding of 5,000 |
| Rev 6:8 | "pale horse" | Fourth horseman = Death |
| Rev 8:7 | "green grass" | First trumpet burns it |
| Rev 9:4 | "any green thing" | Locusts forbidden to harm |
Note: The word's primary meaning is "green" (vegetation). Applied to the horse, it denotes a sickly, corpse-like yellowish-green pallor — the color of death/decomposition.
G4450 pyrrhos — "fire-red"¶
Original: πυῤῥός Transliteration: pyrrhos Part of Speech: adjective Definition: fire-like, flame-colored; red BLB Count: 2
All NT Occurrences¶
| Verse | Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Rev 6:4 | "red" | Second horseman — takes peace from earth |
| Rev 12:3 | "red" | Great red dragon |
Significance: Only 2 NT occurrences, both in Revelation. The same fire-red color connects the second horseman (bloodshed/war) to the dragon (Satan). Both are agents of violence.
G4602 sige — "silence"¶
Original: σιγή Transliteration: sige Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: silence; hush BLB Count: 2
NT Occurrences¶
- Acts 21:40 — "there was made a great silence" (crowd hushed for Paul)
- Rev 8:1 — "there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour"
G2256 hemiorion — "half an hour" (NT hapax)¶
Original: ἡμιώριον Transliteration: hemiorion Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: a half-hour BLB Count: 1 Only occurrence: Rev 8:1
G5115 toxon — "bow" (NT hapax)¶
Original: τόξον Transliteration: toxon Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: a bow (as the simplest fabric) BLB Count: 1 Only occurrence: Rev 6:2 — the first horseman's weapon
Note: This word appears only once in the entire NT, making it a distinctive marker of the first horseman. No arrow is mentioned — only the bow itself.
G2462 hippos — "horse"¶
Original: ἵππος Transliteration: hippos Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: a horse BLB Count: 16
Distribution¶
- James 3:3 (1x) — horse bits analogy
- Revelation: 6:2,4,8 (four horsemen); 9:7,9,17,19 (trumpet locusts); 14:20; 18:13; 19:11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21 (Christ's return)
- 15+ occurrences in Revelation alone; heavily concentrated in the seal (ch.6) and return (ch.19) visions
Hebrew Terms¶
H5521 sukkah — "booth, tabernacle"¶
Original: סֻכָּה Transliteration: sukkah Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: a hut or lair; booth, cottage, pavilion, tabernacle, tent BLB Count: 31 Key references: Lev 23:34,42,43; Neh 8:14-17; Zec 14:16,18,19
H2282 chag — "feast, festival"¶
Original: חַג Transliteration: chag Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: a festival, or a victim therefor; feast (day), sacrifice, solemnity BLB Count: 62 Key references: Lev 23:34,39,41; Zec 14:16,18,19
H8558 tamar — "palm tree"¶
Original: תָּמָר Transliteration: tamar Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: a palm tree (from root meaning "to be erect") BLB Count: 12 Key reference: Lev 23:40 — "branches of palm trees" in Tabernacles instruction
H2856 chatham — "to seal"¶
Original: חָתַם Transliteration: chatham Part of Speech: verb Definition: to close up; to seal (up), make an end, mark, stop BLB Count: 27 Key references: Dan 9:24 ("to seal up the vision and prophecy"); Dan 12:4 ("seal the book"); Dan 12:9 ("the words are closed up and sealed"); Isa 8:16 ("seal the law among my disciples")