2463. iris

Lexical Summary

iris: Rainbow

Original Word: ἶρις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: iris
Pronunciation: EE-ris
Phonetic Spelling: (ee'-ris)
KJV: rainbow
NASB: rainbow
Word Origin: [perhaps from G2046 (ἐρέω - To say) (as a symbol of the female messenger of the pagan deities)]

1. a rainbow ("iris")

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

rainbow.

Perhaps from ereo (as a symbol of the female messenger of the pagan deities); a rainbow ("iris") -- rainbow.

see GREEK ereo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
a rainbow
NASB Translation
rainbow (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2463: ἶρις

ἶρις, ἰριδος, ἡ (Iris), a rainbow: Revelation 4:3; Revelation 10:1. (Homer, Aristotle, Theophrastus, others).

Topical Lexicon

Overview

The term translated “rainbow” in the Apocalypse appears only twice in the New Testament, both in the book of Revelation. In each setting it is closely linked with the throne of God or with a mighty angel who comes directly from His presence. The imagery carries forward earlier biblical revelation, presenting the rainbow as a visible token of covenant mercy that surrounds divine majesty.

Occurrences in Revelation

Revelation 4:3 introduces the heavenly throne room: “And the One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow encircled the throne, appearing like an emerald”. Here the rainbow forms a complete encircling halo—an unbroken sign of promise—around the throne of the Almighty.

In Revelation 10:1 the apostle sees “another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head”. The messenger who announces the completion of the mystery of God (Revelation 10:7) wears the rainbow like a crown, indicating that every aspect of his mission is framed by God’s covenant faithfulness.

Old Testament Background

Genesis 9:13–16 records the first biblical mention of the rainbow as the sign of the everlasting covenant established with Noah and every living creature after the Flood. Whenever the bow appears, God “remembers” His covenant (Genesis 9:16).

Ezekiel 1:28 reports that the prophet saw “the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds” around the glory of the LORD. Ezekiel’s vision, like John’s, links rainbow radiance with God’s throne, foreshadowing the later Apocalypse. Thus, Revelation draws consciously on both Noahic and Ezekiel traditions, fusing covenant mercy with transcendent glory.

Symbolic Theology

1. Covenant Mercy. The rainbow is never presented in Scripture merely as a meteorological phenomenon. It is always a gracious reminder that wrath will never again destroy all flesh (Genesis 8:21; 9:11). When Revelation places a rainbow around the throne, it tells the churches that the Judge of all the earth remains the faithful Covenant-Keeper.
2. Radiant Holiness. Emerald-like brilliance (Revelation 4:3) communicates otherworldly splendor that both attracts and humbles. The bow therefore conveys holiness infused with hope.
3. Eschatological Assurance. The mighty angel of Revelation 10 announces that “there will be no more delay” (10:6), yet the rainbow above his head signals that impending judgments are bounded by mercy and culminate in the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.

Christological and Trinitarian Significance

The rainbow around the throne in chapter 4 encircles the Father, before the Lamb appears in chapter 5 to open the scroll. The same emblem above the angel in chapter 10—whose voice roars like a lion and whose face shines like the sun—echoes features ascribed elsewhere to Christ (Revelation 1:15–16). The shared symbolism underscores the unity of the Godhead in judgment and salvation.

Historical and Cultural Insights

Ancient Near Eastern art sometimes depicted deities with multicolored halos, but Scripture uniquely frames the rainbow as a pledge of compassion rather than a mere emblem of power. In Jewish apocalyptic literature, rainbow imagery is sparse, making John’s use distinctive: for him, the bow is inseparable from the throne and from covenant theology rooted in Torah.

Ministry Application

1. Worship. Every approach to the throne (Hebrews 4:16) is encouraged by the sight of the rainbow. Intercessors may come boldly, assured that divine holiness is surrounded by covenant grace.
2. Preaching. The rainbow supplies a visual bridge between the judgment scenes of Revelation and the gospel promise of salvation. Servants of the Word can declare both without contradiction.
3. Pastoral Comfort. Churches facing persecution, like the first-century assemblies of Asia Minor, are reminded that God’s judgments never eclipse His promises. The bow above the angel’s head heralds deliverance for the saints even as it announces woe for the rebellious.
4. Ethical Witness. Believers are called to reflect the character of the God whose throne radiates mercy. The rainbow challenges the church to embody faithfulness and hope before a watching world.

Related Biblical Themes and Cross-References

• Genesis 8:21—God’s self-constraint after the Flood.
• Psalm 89:34—divine faithfulness to covenant.
• Isaiah 54:9–10—Noahic promise as the pattern of future peace.
• Ezekiel 1:26–28—halo around the throne in prophetic vision.
• Revelation 15:1—judgments completed, covenant maintained.

Conclusion

Across Scripture, the rainbow converges covenant mercy with divine majesty. In Revelation it encircles the throne and crowns the mighty angel, assuring the church that the Sovereign Lord, even amid apocalyptic upheaval, remains true to His ancient promise: judgment is real, but mercy triumphs in the end.

Forms and Transliterations

ίρεως ιρις ίρις ἶρις iris îris

Englishman's Concordance

Revelation 4:3 N-NFS
GRK: σαρδίῳ καὶ ἶρις κυκλόθεν τοῦ
NAS: in appearance; and [there was] a rainbow around
KJV: and [there was] a rainbow round about
INT: a sardius and a rainbow [was] around the

Revelation 10:1 N-NFS
GRK: καὶ ἡ ἶρις ἐπὶ τῆς
NAS: with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head,
KJV: and a rainbow [was] upon
INT: and a rainbow on the

Strong's Greek 2463
2 Occurrences

ἶρις — 2 Occ.