Lexical Summary erion: Wool Original Word: ἔριον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wool. Of obscure affinity; wool -- wool. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eiros (wool) Definition wool NASB Translation wool (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2053: ἔριονἔριον, ἐρίου, τό (diminutive of τό ἔρος or εἶρος), wool: Hebrews 9:19; Revelation 1:14. (From Homer down.) Topical Lexicon Material and Economic SignificanceSheep husbandry lay at the heart of ancient Israel’s agrarian economy, and the fleece they produced supplied a staple fabric for garments, blankets, and tenting. Wool signified prosperity (2 Kings 3:4; Proverbs 31:13) and functioned as a medium of tribute and trade. Because wool could be spun, dyed, and woven, it was a versatile commodity, valuing both shepherd and merchant. The seasonal rhythm of shearing (1 Samuel 25:2 – 8) created festive occasions marked by generosity or, in Nabal’s case, stinginess. Scripture also distinguishes wool from linen (Deuteronomy 22:11), a separation that protected Israel from pagan ritual practices and underscored the principle of holy distinction in daily life. Ceremonial and Liturgical Use Hebrews 9:19 recalls Moses’ inaugural ratification of the covenant: “He took the blood of calves and goats, together with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people”. The scarlet-dyed wool bound the hyssop sprig to form a ritual aspergillum, allowing blood to be applied to people and objects alike. Numbers 19:6 roots this practice in the red-heifer ordinance, where cedarwood, hyssop, and scarlet material were burned with the sacrifice. Wool thus entered the sacrificial sphere as an instrument of purification, visually linking blood (red) and cleansing (white) within one act. Symbolism of Purity and Atonement Wool readily absorbs dye, making its restoration to whiteness a compelling picture of forgiveness. Isaiah 1:18 juxtaposes scarlet-stained sin with the whiteness of wool: though sin is deep-set, God alone can cleanse. The same color spectrum frames Hebrews 9:19—blood-stained scarlet wool mediates purification—anticipating the once-for-all cleansing accomplished by Christ’s own blood (Hebrews 9:12). The fleece laid out by Gideon (Judges 6:36 – 40) further illustrates divine initiative: dew on the wool while the ground stays dry (and vice versa) displays God’s power to invert natural expectation in order to confirm His covenant promises. Christological Implications Revelation 1:14 depicts the exalted Son of Man: “The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire.” The whiteness echoes Daniel 7:9, where the Ancient of Days possesses “hair like pure wool,” thereby assigning to Jesus the attributes of eternality, holiness, and judicial authority. The simile intensifies the vision: perfect righteousness shines undimmed by age or corruption, while blazing eyes confirm penetrating omniscience. The rare New Testament appearance of the word underscores its precision—used only when the fullest measure of purity must be conveyed. Eschatological Hope The same Jesus whose hair is white like wool will cleanse His people “from every lawless deed” (Titus 2:14) and present them “without spot or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5:27). Prophecies of millennial peace employ pastoral imagery—lamb and wolf dwelling together (Isaiah 11:6)—hinting that the One who is both Shepherd and Lamb will perfect creation. The fleece once sought for reassurance in Judges becomes, in Revelation, a crown of certainty: the glorified Christ guarantees the final purification and restoration of His flock. Practical Ministry Lessons 1. Purity is possible only through blood-bought cleansing; outward religion without inner washing leaves the wool scarlet. Connections within Biblical Theology • Covenant Ratification: Exodus 24:8; Hebrews 9:19. See Also Strong’s Hebrew 6785 (צֶמֶר, “wool”); Numbers 19; Isaiah 63; Revelation 7:13 – 17. Forms and Transliterations έρια εριον έριον ἔριον εριου ερίου ἐρίου ερίων erion érion eriou eríouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Hebrews 9:19 N-GNSGRK: ὕδατος καὶ ἐρίου κοκκίνου καὶ NAS: and scarlet wool and hyssop, KJV: and scarlet wool, and hyssop, INT: water and wool scarlet and Revelation 1:14 N-NNS Strong's Greek 2053 |
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