Lexical Summary kapnos: Smoke Original Word: καπνός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance smoke. Of uncertain affinity; smoke -- smoke. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition smoke NASB Translation smoke (13). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2586: καπνόςκαπνός; καπνοῦ, ὁ (fr Homer down), smoke: Revelation 8:4; Revelation 9:2f, 17, 18; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 15:8; Revelation 18:9, 18; Revelation 19:3; ἀτμίς καπνοῦ, A. V. vapor of smoke, Acts 2:19 after Joel 2:30 ( Topical Lexicon Smoke in Biblical ImageryFrom Genesis forward, smoke is a vivid theological marker of either God’s nearness or His judgment. In the New Testament the term appears thirteen times, each occurrence loaded with echoes of Sinai, the wilderness tabernacle, and the prophetic visions of Isaiah and Ezekiel. Smoke can thus denote either a holy theophany or the consuming wrath that accompanies final judgment. Occurrences in the New Testament Revelation dominates the usage (twelve of thirteen instances), with one appearance in Peter’s Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:19, citing Joel 2:30). John’s Apocalypse employs the image to portray three principal themes: divine wrath poured out on a rebellious world, the anguish of those under judgment, and the majesty of God’s glory filling His heavenly sanctuary. • Acts 2:19 – “I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and clouds of smoke.” Symbol of Judgment Revelation 9 vividly ties smoke to the demonic locust plague released from the abyss. The thick column obscures light—an apocalyptic reversal of the guiding pillar of cloud in Exodus. In Revelation 14:11 and 19:3 the unending upward movement of smoke pictures an eternal testimony to God’s righteous vengeance. Such imagery stands in conscious contrast to temporary Old Testament judgments (e.g., Genesis 19:28) and underscores the irrevocable nature of the final sentence on Babylon and all idolaters. Symbol of Divine Presence and Worship Revelation 8:4 and 15:8 recall tabernacle worship where fragrant smoke signified acceptable intercession (Exodus 30:7–8; Isaiah 6:4). Here the smoke does not repel but reveals: the sanctuary is filled so completely that angelic beings themselves must pause, emphasizing the holiness of God and the weight of His forthcoming acts. Eschatological Significance The dual function of smoke—concealing glory and proclaiming judgment—reaches its climax in Revelation 18–19. Babylon’s merchants view the “smoke of her burning” (Revelation 18:9, 18) from afar, reinforcing both the finality of her destruction and the warning to remain separate from systems opposed to Christ. Old Testament Foundations The Greek usage draws heavily on Hebrew antecedents: the cloud on Sinai (Exodus 19:18), Isaiah’s vision (Isaiah 6:4), and prophetic oracles against Gentile powers (Isaiah 34:10). The continuity validates John’s visions as the natural consummation of earlier revelation. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Preaching: Smoke confronts congregations with the reality of eternal consequences. Revelation 14:11 demands clear proclamation about the destiny of the unrepentant. Christological Considerations The same apocalypse that depicts endless smoke of torment also shows the Lamb receiving worship amid a smoke-filled sanctuary. Thus, judgment and redemption converge at the cross: the righteous wrath symbolized by smoke has already fallen on Christ for believers, guaranteeing freedom from the fate of Babylon. Evangelistic Application Acts 2:19 frames smoke as a last-days sign meant to awaken repentance. The church can employ this imagery to urge unbelievers toward the Savior before the abyss is opened and the sun is darkened by smoke no gospel ray can pierce. Summary In Scripture smoke never stands alone; it always points to a greater reality—the presence of God either in blazing holiness or in consuming wrath. The term gathers up the entire biblical story, from the smoking furnace of Abraham’s covenant to the eternal rising smoke of Babylon’s fall, and calls every reader to choose refuge in the Lamb whose sacrifice turns judgment’s smoke into the aroma of worship. Forms and Transliterations καπνον καπνόν καπνὸν καπνος καπνός καπνὸς καπνου καπνού καπνοῦ καπνώ kapnon kapnòn kapnos kapnòs kapnou kapnoûLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 2:19 N-GMSGRK: καὶ ἀτμίδα καπνοῦ NAS: AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. KJV: and vapour of smoke: INT: and vapor of smoke Revelation 8:4 N-NMS Revelation 9:2 N-NMS Revelation 9:2 N-NMS Revelation 9:2 N-GMS Revelation 9:3 N-GMS Revelation 9:17 N-NMS Revelation 9:18 N-GMS Revelation 14:11 N-NMS Revelation 15:8 N-GMS Revelation 18:9 N-AMS Revelation 18:18 N-AMS Revelation 19:3 N-NMS Strong's Greek 2586 |
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