Lexical Summary theiódés: Divine, godlike Original Word: θεοειδής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance brimstone. From theion and eidos; sulphur-like, i.e. Sulphurous -- brimstone. see GREEK theion NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom theion and -ódés (suff. denoting similarity) Definition of brimstone NASB Translation brimstone (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2306: θειώδηςθειώδης, θειωδες (from θεῖον brimstone (which see)), of brimstone, sulphurous: Revelation 9:17; a later Greek word; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 228; (Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word). Topical Lexicon Root Imagery and Symbolism Derived from the idea of burning sulfur or brimstone, the adjective conveys an atmosphere charged with acrid fire, choking fumes, and inescapable judgment. Throughout Scripture sulfur is not merely a noxious element; it is a divine instrument that exposes evil, consumes impurity, and leaves an unforgettable stench of finality. The term therefore carries connotations of both the fierceness of God’s wrath and the moral purity that His judgment secures. Canonical Context The single New Testament appearance occurs in Revelation 9:17, where John beholds, “The horses had breastplates that were fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow” (Berean Standard Bible). Sandwiched between trumpet blasts and the impending seventh trumpet, the vision amplifies the escalating severity of divine judgments unleashed upon an unrepentant world. The sulfur-like breastplates underscore that even the armor of the demonic cavalry reeks of condemnation; their very appearance forecasts the torment they are empowered to inflict. The Eschatological Landscape of Revelation Revelation repeatedly returns to sulfur imagery in connection with the lake of fire (Revelation 14:10, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:10, Revelation 21:8). Though these later verses employ the noun rather than the adjective, the single descriptive use in Revelation 9:17 sets the stage: the sulfurous scent pervades the Apocalypse, marking out every realm—earthly, demonic, and eternal—where sin meets holy retribution. The judgment motif climaxes when death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire burning with sulfur, demonstrating that God’s justice is comprehensive and final. Old Testament Parallels and Thematic Continuity 1. Genesis 19:24: “Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah.” These passages establish a canonical through-line that links the cataclysm of Sodom to the ultimate lake of fire, framing Revelation’s sulfurous scenes as the consummation of a pattern long embedded in redemptive history. Historical Usage of Sulfur in the Ancient World Greco-Roman societies recognized sulfur as a powerful disinfectant and purifying agent, used in fumigation, metallurgy, and religious ritual. Its penetrating odor and capacity to cleanse through burning made it an apt metaphor for expunging moral corruption. First-century readers would quickly associate sulfurous fire with both ceremonial purification and lethal judgment, heightening the impact of John’s vision. Theology of Divine Judgment and Purification 1. Retributive Justice: Sulfur signals that God’s wrath is not capricious but righteous, targeted specifically at persistent rebellion (Romans 2:5-8). Practical Ministry Implications • Preaching: The sulfur motif serves as a sobering reminder of the eternal stakes of the gospel. It calls for urgent proclamation that salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:12). Further Study Suggestions • Trace occurrences of the root noun “sulfur” (Strong’s Greek 2303) across Revelation to grasp the full eschatological tapestry. Forms and Transliterations θειωδεις θειώδεις θεκέλ theiodeis theiōdeis theiṓdeisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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