Lexical Summary drakón: Dragon Original Word: δράκων Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dragon. Probably from an alternate form of derkomai (to look); a fabulous kind of serpent (perhaps as supposed to fascinate) -- dragon. HELPS Word-studies 1404 drákōn (from derkomai, "to see," the root of the English term, "dragon") – properly "seeing one," used of mythical dragons (huge serpents) seeing their prey from far away; (figuratively) Satan (Rev 12:7,9) exercising his subtle (indirect) impact on heathen governments (powers) – i.e. accomplishing his hellish agenda from "behind the scenes." [The ancient Greeks classified a "dragon" (1404 /drákōn) as a type of serpent. 1404 /drákōn ("a dragon") was believed to have incredible insight, able to spot prey in any hiding place.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an alt. form of derkomai (to look) Definition a dragon (a mythical monster) NASB Translation dragon (13). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1404: δράκωνδράκων, δράκοντος, ὁ (apparently from δέρκομαι, 2 aorist ἔδρακον; hence, δράκων, properly, equivalent to ὀξύ βλέπων (Etym. Magn. 286, 7; cf. Curtius, § 13)); the Sept. chiefly for תָּנִּין; a dragon, a great serpent, a fabulous animal (so as early as Homer, Iliad 2, 308f, etc.). From it, after Genesis 3:1ff, is derived the figurative description of the devil in Revelation 12:3-17; Revelation 13:2, 4, 11; Revelation 16:13; Revelation 20:2. (Cf. Baudissin, Studien zur semitisch. Religionsgesch. vol. i. (iv. 4), p. 281ff.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 1404 portrays a personal, malevolent being who opposes God’s purposes from Genesis to Revelation. All thirteen New Testament uses appear in the Apocalypse, where the dragon stands as the chief antagonist of Christ, His people, and His kingdom. Symbolic Identity and Old Testament Roots Revelation equates the dragon with “that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world” (Revelation 12:9). The link to “serpent” recalls Genesis 3 and Isaiah’s imagery of Leviathan (Isaiah 27:1), showing unified biblical testimony: the same adversary who tempted humanity in Eden resurfaces at the culmination of history. Prophetic texts that speak of a sea-monster or great serpent (Job 26:12-13; Psalm 74:13-14) foreshadow the dragon’s final defeat, underscoring Scripture’s thematic coherence. Occurrences and Literary Function in Revelation 1. Revelation 12:3–4 introduces “a great red dragon” whose sweeping tail casts a third of the stars to earth, picturing primordial rebellion and cosmic scale. Narrative Progression The storyline moves from the dragon’s heavenly expulsion (chapter 12) to his earthly rage (chapters 12–13), strategic deception (chapter 16), temporary restraint (chapter 20), and, though outside the word’s occurrences, final destruction in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). The sequence magnifies both the seriousness of satanic opposition and the certainty of divine victory. Theological Significance 1. Christological Contrast: The dragon offers counterfeit crowns and authority (Revelation 12:3; 13:2), whereas Jesus wears “many crowns” earned by righteous conquest (Revelation 19:12). Practical Ministry Considerations • Spiritual Warfare: Pastors should equip saints with the whole armor of God, knowing the dragon’s primary weapons are accusation (Revelation 12:10) and deceit. Related Imagery in Scripture Serpent (Genesis 3:1-15), Leviathan (Psalm 74:14; Isaiah 27:1), roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8), and the accuser (Job 1:9-11; Zechariah 3:1-2) present complementary facets of the same enemy, enriching the portrait supplied by the dragon metaphor. Summary Strong’s 1404 encapsulates the Bible’s portrayal of Satan as a formidable yet doomed foe. Revelation gathers earlier motifs, exposes his strategies, and unveils his defeat. For the church, these passages foster vigilance, confidence, and worship of the One who “will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20). Forms and Transliterations δράκα δράκας δρακί δρακοντα δράκοντα δράκοντες δρακοντι δράκοντι δρακοντος δράκοντος δρακόντων δρακός δρακων δρακών δράκων δράξ δραξί drakon drakōn drákon drákōn drakonta drákonta drakonti drákonti drakontos drákontosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Revelation 12:3 N-NMSGRK: καὶ ἰδοὺ δράκων μέγας πυρρός NAS: a great red dragon having seven KJV: a great red dragon, having seven INT: and behold a dragon great red Revelation 12:4 N-NMS Revelation 12:7 N-GMS Revelation 12:7 N-NMS Revelation 12:9 N-NMS Revelation 12:13 N-NMS Revelation 12:16 N-NMS Revelation 12:17 N-NMS Revelation 13:2 N-NMS Revelation 13:4 N-DMS Revelation 13:11 N-NMS Revelation 16:13 N-GMS Revelation 20:2 N-AMS Strong's Greek 1404 |
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