Lexical Summary échos: Sound, noise, report Original Word: ἦχος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fame, sound. Of uncertain affinity; a loud or confused noise ("echo"), i.e. Roar; figuratively, a rumor -- fame, sound. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina late form of a prim. word éché (noise, sound) Definition a noise, sound NASB Translation blast (1), noise (1), report (1), roaring (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2279: ἦχοςἦχος (cf. Latinecho,vox, German sprechen, etc.; Vanicek, p. 858), ἤχου, ὁ, and (Luke 21:25 G L T Tr WH) τό ἦχος, ἐχους (cf. Winers Grammar, 65 (64); (Buttmann, 23 (20)); Delitzsch on Hebrews 12:19, p. 638; (or ἤχους may come from ἤχῳ, ἤχους, see especially WH's Appendix, p. 158b; Meyer on Luke as below)); 1. a sound, noise: Acts 2:2; Hebrews 12:19; spoken of the roar of the sea's waves," Luke 21:25 G L T Tr WH. 2. rumor, report: περί τίνος, Luke 4:37. Ἦχος (Strong’s 2279) denotes an audible phenomenon perceived by the ear. In the New Testament its nuances include (1) an overwhelming, often startling sound in nature or theophany, (2) the report or fame that spreads by word of mouth, and (3) the reverberation or roar that portends divine activity. Whereas φωνή usually emphasizes articulated speech, ἦχος stresses the sheer impact of the sound itself—its volume, intensity, and capacity to elicit awe. Usage in the New Testament • Hebrews 12:19: “to a trumpet blast [ἤχῳ σάλπιγγος] or to a voice that made the hearers beg that no further word be spoken to them”. The writer recalls Sinai, highlighting the dread that accompanied the covenant’s inauguration. • Luke 4:37: “And the news [ἦχος] about Him spread throughout the surrounding region”. Here the word pictures the swelling “buzz” generated by Christ’s authority over demons and disease. • Acts 2:2: “Suddenly a sound [ἦχος] like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting”. The term conveys the overwhelming, heaven-sent rush that heralded the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. • Luke 21:25: “bewildered by the roaring [ἠχοῦς] of the sea and the waves”. In the Olivet Discourse the word describes apocalyptic turbulence marking the end of the age. Connections to the Old Testament and Septuagint In the Septuagint ἦχος translates Hebrew terms such as קוֹל (qol, “voice/sound”) and שְׁמֻעָה (shemûʿāh, “report”). It is used for the thunderous manifestations at Sinai (Exodus 20:18 LXX) and the “sound” that went before David’s victory (2 Samuel 5:24 LXX). These backgrounds clarify why the writer of Hebrews employs ἦχος to evoke covenant holiness, and why Luke and Acts use it for divine in-breakings that parallel Sinai. Theological and Ministry Themes 1. Divine Self-Disclosure. Whether at Sinai, Pentecost, or the Second Coming, ἦχος marks pivotal moments when God makes His presence known audibly and unmistakably. Christological Significance The progression—from the ominous ἦχος at Sinai, through the heralded ἦχος of Jesus’ ministry, to the empowering ἦχος at Pentecost—traces redemptive history culminating in Christ. He fulfills the law’s fearful trumpet with His gracious voice, and He sends the Spirit with a sound that empowers witness “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Eschatological Perspective Ἦχος anticipates the final trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:52) and the roar of dissolving heavens (2 Peter 3:10, where ῥοιζηδόν captures a similar idea). The present age, therefore, lives between sounds: Pentecost’s empowering rush behind us and the eschatological roar before us. Pastoral and Practical Application • Worship: Incorporate moments of silence and expressive praise that mirror the biblical pattern—quiet receptivity after overwhelming sound. Missional Implications Acts 2 portrays ἦχος as catalytic for cross-cultural mission: Jews from every nation gather because they hear the sound. Today the Church’s Spirit-empowered witness continues that reverberation, calling the nations to Jesus Christ until the final trumpet resounds. Englishman's Concordance Luke 4:37 N-NMSGRK: Καὶ ἐξεπορεύετο ἦχος περὶ αὐτοῦ NAS: And the report about Him was spreading KJV: And the fame of him INT: And went out the report concerning him Luke 21:25 N-GNS Acts 2:2 N-NMS Hebrews 12:19 N-DMS Strong's Greek 2279 |
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