Lexical Summary huakinthinos: Hyacinth-colored, dark blue, or deep purple Original Word: ὑακίνθινος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance deep blue, jacinth. From huakinthos; "hyacinthine" or "jacinthine", i.e. Deep blue -- jacinth. see GREEK huakinthos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom huakinthos Definition of hyacinth, hyacinthine NASB Translation hyacinth (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5191: ὑακίνθινοςὑακίνθινος ὑακινθινη, ὑακίνθινον (ὑάκινθος), of hyacinth, of the color of hyacinth, i. e. of a red color bordering on black (Hesychius ὑακινθιον. ὑπομελανιζον): Revelation 9:17 (Homer, Theocr, Lucian, others; the Sept.). Topical Lexicon Lexical Range and Semantic Field Strong’s 5191 designates a color derived from the flower “hyacinth,” known in antiquity for its deep, smoky blue-violet hue that borders on purple. In the biblical world this tint occupied the spectrum between the bright “blue” of Numbers 15:38 and the royal “purple” of Judges 8:26, evoking both heaven-ward association and kingly majesty. The same root appears in Greek literature to describe military attire, ceremonial garments, and certain semi-precious stones (cf. the cognate noun ὑάκινθος in Revelation 21:20). Occurrence in Revelation 9:17 “The horses and riders in my vision looked like this: They had breastplates that were fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow…” (Revelation 9:17). John places the hue at the center of a triad of judgments—fire, smoke, and sulfur—that forms the second woe. The color is not incidental; it visually translates the “smoke” that issues from the demonic cavalry’s mouths (9:17-18). Thus hyacinth connects what the seer hears (“the sound of their wings”) with what he sees (“breastplates… hyacinth blue”), heightening the multisensory dread of unleashed judgment. Symbolism of Color in Biblical Revelation 1. Heavenly Origin: Blue throughout Scripture often points upward—to sky, throne room, and covenant. Exodus 24:10, Ezekiel 1:26, and Revelation 4:3 all feature sapphire-like imagery to situate the divine presence above the earth. Historical Background of Hyacinth and Jacinth Greco-Roman writers (Pliny, Dioscorides) classified hyacinth as both a flower and a gemstone reminiscent of burning coal at dusk. Military accounts record cavalry units outfitted in dark-blue cloth to signify elite status. John’s readers—accustomed to Parthian horse archers on Rome’s eastern frontier—would recognize the color of such armor. The terror of these riders lies in their mimicry of legitimate imperial power, now co-opted by hostile spirits. Intertestamental and Rabbinic Parallels Second Temple sources link blue-purple dyes to the tassels (tzitzit) that remind Israel of the commandments (Numbers 15:38). Rabbinic discussion (e.g., Talmud Menachot 41b) debates the precise shade, with many favoring a darker tone derived from murex shellfish. Revelation’s hyacinth may allude to this conversation by presenting a perverse tassel—battle gear recalling covenant signs yet employed for destruction. Connections to the High Priest’s Breastpiece Jacinth (ὑάκινθος, Strong’s 5192) forms the eleventh stone on the high priest’s breastplate (Exodus 28:19 LXX). By echoing that gemstone in the demonic breastplates, Revelation contrasts the intercessory role of Israel’s high priest with the accusatory role of evil spirits. The righteous Mediator bears twelve gems for salvation; the counterfeit cavalry bears three colors for judgment. Doctrinal and Pastoral Reflections • Divine Sovereignty: The richness of hyacinth underlines that even terrifying visions operate under God’s royal palette. Christological and Eschatological Themes Revelation paints two contrasting riders: the hyacinth-clad tormentors of 9:17 and the Faithful and True Rider of 19:11 whose robe is dipped in blood. The former serve a limited woe; the latter secures final victory. The chromatic language draws a line from provisional wrath to ultimate redemption, preparing believers for the marriage supper of the Lamb. Worship and Artistic Application Church art and hymnody have employed deep blue-violet to suggest both majesty and mystery—especially in Advent, when the Church awaits the King’s appearing while contemplating judgment. Stained-glass programs often reserve this hue for scenes of heavenly throne rooms or the Apocalypse, visually educating congregations about hope and holiness. Summary Strong’s Greek 5191 highlights more than a color; it encapsulates a theological statement that heaven’s royal hue, when mingled with smoke and sulfur, becomes a sign of judicial purification. Revelation 9:17 leverages the heritage of hyacinth—from priestly gems to imperial armor—to communicate that God’s judgments are as intentional and majestic as His grace. Forms and Transliterations υακίνθινα υακινθίνας υακίνθινον υακινθινους υακινθίνους ὑακινθίνους υακινθίνω hyakinthinous hyakinthínous uakinthinousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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