Lexical Summary pléssó: To strike, smite Original Word: πλήσσω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance smite, strike. Apparently another form of plasso (through the idea of flattening out); to pound, i.e. (figuratively) to inflict with (calamity) -- smite. Compare tupto. see GREEK tupto see GREEK plasso NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition to strike NASB Translation struck (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4141: πλήσσωπλήσσω (cf. πληγή (πέλαγος), Latinplango, plaga; Curtius, § 367): 2 aorist passive ἐπλήγην; from Homer down; the Sept. for הִכָּה (see πατάσσω, at the beginning); to strike, to smite: passive (of the heavenly bodies smitten by God that they may be deprived of light and shrouded in darkness), Revelation 8:12. (Compare: ἐκπλήσσω, ἐπιπλήσσω.) Topical Lexicon Placement in Scripture Strong’s Greek 4141 appears only once, at Revelation 8:12, within the fourth-trumpet judgment. “A third of the sun, moon, and stars were struck, so that a third of them turned dark” (Berean Standard Bible). The verb renders an event, not a condition: creation is actively “struck” by an outside agent, indicating purposeful divine intervention rather than random cosmic disorder. Old Testament Backdrop The concept of God “striking” (Hebrew nāḡaʿ or nāḵâ) runs through Scripture—from Egypt’s plagues (Exodus 7–12) to covenantal warnings (Deuteronomy 28:22) and prophetic judgments (Isaiah 30:32). Revelation 8:12 consciously echoes these earlier blows. As Pharaoh’s realm was darkened (Exodus 10:21-23), so a rebellious world experiences darkness once more, underscoring the unity of God’s redemptive plan. Eschatological Function 1. Warning: The fourth trumpet is still a partial judgment (“a third”), granting space for repentance before the final bowls. Theology of Divine Striking • Sovereignty—God alone initiates the blow; cosmic bodies obey His command, refuting any notion of independent natural forces. Christological Perspective The Lamb opens the seals that release the trumpets (Revelation 5:6; 8:1-2). Thus the One once “stricken, smitten, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4) now directs the striking judgments. Calvary’s stroke on Christ secures salvation; the final strokes fall only on those who reject that salvation. Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Evangelism—Trumpet judgments motivate urgent proclamation of the gospel before final wrath (Revelation 14:6-7). Historical Reception Early church writers (e.g., Hippolytus, Victorinus) viewed the fourth trumpet as literal but future, contrasting with allegorical interpretations that later arose. The Reformers generally read it historically, applying it to ecclesiastical corruption. Conservative scholarship today often retains a future-literal understanding, seeing in the verb’s singular use an emphatic indicator of real, observable phenomena yet to occur. Doctrinal Safeguards • Consistency—Scripture presents one Author; Revelation’s judgments harmonize with earlier divine acts. Summary Strong’s 4141 in Revelation 8:12 captures a decisive act of divine judgment that dims the heavenly lights. Rooted in Old Testament precedent, executed by the exalted Christ, and serving both warning and redemptive purposes, this single occurrence calls the church to vigilance, purity, and proclamation while affirming God’s ultimate triumph over darkness. Forms and Transliterations επληγη επλήγη ἐπλήγη επλήγην επλήγησαν έπληξαν πεπληγότος πεπληγύια πεπληγύιαν πεπληγώς πληγείς πληγέντες πληγήσεται πληγήτε πληνθείας πλήνθου πλήξατε πλήξει πλινθεία πλινθείας πλινθεύσωμεν πλινθίου πλίνθοι πλίνθοις πλίνθον πλίνθος πλίνθου πλινθουργίαν πλινθουργίας πλίνθους eplege eplēgē eplḗge eplḗgēLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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