Lexical Summary purinos: Fiery, of fire Original Word: πυρίνης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fieryFrom pura; fiery, i.e. (by implication) flaming -- of fire. see GREEK pura NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pur Definition fiery NASB Translation fire (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4447: πύρινοςπύρινος, πυρινη, πυρινον (πῦρ), fiery: θώρακες πυρίνους, i. e. shining like fire, Revelation 9:17. (Ezekiel 28:14, 16; Aristotle, Polybius, Plutarch, others.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Word PictureThe adjective conveys something characterized by fire—vividly colored, blazing, energetic, and potentially destructive. Throughout Scripture fire is a double-edged image: it warms and enlightens, yet also consumes and judges. By employing the term, the apostle John taps into a rich biblical reservoir in which fire signals the holiness of God, the testing of works, and the fearful reality of divine wrath. Singular New Testament Occurrence: Revelation 9:17 “And this is how I saw the horses in my vision: They had breastplates that were fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow. The heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths proceeded fire, smoke, and brimstone.” (Revelation 9:17) Here “fiery” modifies the breastplates of the infernal cavalry unleashed at the sounding of the sixth trumpet. The color palette—red like flame, blue like smoke, yellow like sulfur—mirrors the threefold plague (fire, smoke, sulfur) issuing from the horses’ mouths (Revelation 9:18). The term therefore links appearance and effect, underscoring that what looks fiery also burns. Old Testament Foundations 1. Divine Presence: The angel of the LORD appears “in a blazing fire from within a bush” (Exodus 3:2). These texts mold the prophetic imagination so that when Revelation speaks of fiery elements, the reader remembers God’s past self-revelation and anticipates His final acts. Fire as Emblem of Divine Judgment and Purification Fire judges the wicked (Genesis 19:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:8) and purifies the righteous (Malachi 3:2-3; 1 Peter 1:7). In Revelation 9:17 the emphasis falls on judgment: the demonic cavalry slays a third of mankind (Revelation 9:18-19). Yet even judgment has a redemptive aim, for the very next verses lament that the survivors “did not repent” (Revelation 9:20-21). The fiery breastplates herald both the reality of wrath and the continued offer of grace. Apocalyptic Color Symbolism John’s trilogy of colors corresponds to well-known agents of destruction in the ancient world: The imagery evokes battlefield carnage familiar to first-century readers, warning that the forces arrayed against rebellious humanity are horrific and unstoppable apart from divine mercy. Theological Implications 1. Consistent Character of God: The same God who once revealed Himself in a burning bush now judges the earth with fiery plagues, demonstrating that His holiness does not change (Hebrews 12:29). Pastoral and Homiletical Applications • Preaching: Use the vividness of Revelation 9 to awaken believers and seekers alike to the urgency of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Related Biblical Themes Fire—Exodus 3:2; Isaiah 6:6; Acts 2:3 Judgment—Psalm 96:13; John 5:22; Revelation 20:11-15 Purification—Malachi 3:2-3; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15; 1 Peter 1:7 Spiritual Warfare—Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:7-9 Conclusion Strong’s Greek 4447 stands as a small yet potent reminder that Revelation’s visions are anchored in the consistent biblical testimony to God’s fiery holiness. The single occurrence invites readers to contemplate both the terror and the mercy of a God who burns away evil while refining His people for everlasting glory. Forms and Transliterations πυρινους πυρίνους πυρίνων πυροί πυρόν πυρός πυρού πυρούς πυροφόρος πυρών purinous pyrinous pyrínousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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