3691. oxus

Lexical Summary

oxus: Sharp, swift

Original Word: ὀξύς
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: oxus
Pronunciation: ok-soos'
Phonetic Spelling: (oz-oos')
KJV: sharp, swift
NASB: sharp, swift
Word Origin: [probably akin to the base of G188 (ἀκμήν - still) ("acid")]

1. keen
2. (by analogy) rapid

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

sharp, swift.

Probably akin to the base of akmen ("acid"); keen; by analogy, rapid -- sharp, swift.

see GREEK akmen

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
sharp, swift
NASB Translation
sharp (7), swift (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3691: ὀξύς

ὀξύς, ὀξεῖα, ὀξύ (allied with Latinacer, acus, etc.; cf. Curtius, § 2);

1. sharp (from Homer down): ῤομφαία, δρέπανον, Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:12; Revelation 14:14, 17; Revelation 19:15 (Isaiah 5:28; Psalm 56 ()).

2. swift, quick (so from Herodotus 5, 9 down; cf. ὠκύς fleet): Romans 3:15 (Amos 2:15; Proverbs 22:29).

Topical Lexicon

Overview

In the New Testament the adjective ὀξύς (Strong’s Greek 3691) portrays incisive sharpness, whether describing swiftness, a sword’s edge, or a harvesting tool. Its eight occurrences concentrate in Romans and Revelation, binding together humanity’s propensity for violence with the Messiah’s righteous judgment and the final harvest of the earth.

Scriptural Occurrences

Romans 3:15 exposes universal sin: “Their feet are swift to shed blood”. The term pictures feet so “sharp” or quick that they pierce the ground in eagerness to do evil.

Revelation 1:16 presents the glorified Son of Man: “A sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth.”

Revelation 2:12 opens the message to Pergamum: “These are the words of Him who holds the sharp, double-edged sword.”

Revelation 14:14, 17, 18 depicts the Son of Man and angelic reapers each holding a “sharp sickle,” gathering earth’s harvest.

Revelation 19:15 culminates the motif: “From His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.”

Old Testament Background

• “He made my mouth like a sharp sword” (Isaiah 49:2).
• “Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe” (Joel 3:13).

Such imagery undergirds the New Testament use, rooting Christ’s judicial word and the harvest visions in established prophetic language.

Christological Significance

The sword from Christ’s mouth shows that His spoken word judges, defends, and conquers. It is double-edged—effective for both salvation and condemnation. His sickle likewise stresses that the Son of Man personally directs the eschatological harvest, fulfilling John 5:22: “The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.”

Eschatological Emphasis

1. Warning to the churches (Revelation 1–3): the sharp sword calls for repentance.
2. Mid-tribulational harvest (Revelation 14): the sharp sickle gathers grain (righteous) and grapes (wicked).
3. Final conquest (Revelation 19): the sharp sword strikes hostile nations, inaugurating the Millennium and ultimately the new creation.

Ethical and Pastoral Implications

• Authority of Scripture: the sharpness of Christ’s word demands reverence and accurate handling (Hebrews 4:12).
• Holiness: Romans 3:15 warns against feet made “sharp” for violence; believers are exhorted to the opposite swiftness—good works (Titus 3:1).
• Evangelism: the church proclaims the same penetrating word, trusting its power rather than human persuasion.
• Comfort and Confidence: persecuted saints rest in the certainty that divine judgment is decisive and unerring.

Homiletical Suggestions

• Contrast human sharpness for sin (Romans 3:15) with divine sharpness for justice (Revelation 19:15).
• Trace the sword-sickle-sword progression: exhortation, harvest, conquest.
• Emphasize that the same sharp word that converts will one day condemn if rejected.

Summary

Strong’s 3691 unites themes of incisive judgment, redemptive harvest, and the unrivaled authority of Christ’s word. From exposing sinners’ swift violence to wielding the sword that subdues the nations, the adjective ὀξύς underscores that God’s purposes cut cleanly, decisively, and irresistibly, assuring believers of both present sanctifying power and future vindication.

Forms and Transliterations

οξεί οξεια οξεία οξείά ὀξεῖα οξειαν οξείαν ὀξεῖαν οξεις οξείς ὀξεῖς οξυ οξύ ὀξύ ὀξὺ οξύν οξύς οξύτεροι οξύτηρος oxeia oxeîa oxeian oxeîan oxeis oxeîs oxu oxy oxý oxỳ

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 3:15 Adj-NMP
GRK: ὀξεῖς οἱ πόδες
NAS: THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
KJV: Their feet [are] swift to shed blood:
INT: swift [are] the feet

Revelation 1:16 Adj-NFS
GRK: ῥομφαία δίστομος ὀξεῖα ἐκπορευομένη καὶ
NAS: came a sharp two-edged
KJV: mouth went a sharp twoedged sword:
INT: a sword two-edged sharp going forth and

Revelation 2:12 Adj-AFS
GRK: δίστομον τὴν ὀξεῖαν
NAS: The One who has the sharp two-edged
KJV: he which hath the sharp sword
INT: two-edged sharp

Revelation 14:14 Adj-ANS
GRK: αὐτοῦ δρέπανον ὀξύ
NAS: on His head and a sharp sickle
KJV: his hand a sharp sickle.
INT: of him a sickle sharp

Revelation 14:17 Adj-ANS
GRK: αὐτὸς δρέπανον ὀξύ
NAS: and he also had a sharp sickle.
KJV: also having a sharp sickle.
INT: he a sickle sharp

Revelation 14:18 Adj-ANS
GRK: δρέπανον τὸ ὀξὺ λέγων Πέμψον
NAS: to him who had the sharp sickle,
KJV: to him that had the sharp sickle,
INT: sickle sharp saying Send

Revelation 14:18 Adj-ANS
GRK: δρέπανον τὸ ὀξὺ καὶ τρύγησον
NAS: Put in your sharp sickle
KJV: Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and
INT: sickle sharp and gather

Revelation 19:15 Adj-NFS
GRK: ἐκπορεύεται ῥομφαία ὀξεῖα ἵνα ἐν
NAS: From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so
KJV: mouth goeth a sharp sword, that
INT: goes forth a sword sharp that with

Strong's Greek 3691
8 Occurrences

ὀξεῖα — 2 Occ.
ὀξεῖαν — 1 Occ.
ὀξεῖς — 1 Occ.
ὀξύ — 4 Occ.