5408. phonos

Lexical Summary

phonos: Murder, killing, slaughter

Original Word: φόνος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: phonos
Pronunciation: FO-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (fon'-os)
KJV: murder, + be slain with, slaughter
NASB: murder, murders
Word Origin: [from an obsolete primary pheno "to slay"]

1. murder

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

murder, slaughter.

From an obsolete primary pheno (to slay); murder -- murder, + be slain with, slaughter.

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5408 phónos – murder (intentional, unjustified homicide). See 5407 (phoneuō).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from phen- (to slay)
Definition
a murder
NASB Translation
death* (1), murder (5), murders (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5408: φόνος

φόνος, φόνου, ὁ (ΦΑΝΩ; cf. φόβος, at the beginning), from Homer down, murder, slaughter: Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19, 25; Acts 9:1; Romans 1:29; ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας, Hebrews 11:37 (Exodus 17:13; Numbers 21:24; Deuteronomy 13:15; Deuteronomy 20:13); plural φόνοι, murders: Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21; Galatians 5:21 (T WH omit; L Tr brackets φόνοι); Revelation 9:21.

Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Scope

The noun φόνος (phonos) denotes the deliberate taking of human life—murder, homicide, assassination, or slaughter. Scripture consistently treats the act as morally reprehensible because it violates the divine image in man (Genesis 9:6) and the sixth commandment, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Unlike involuntary manslaughter, φόνος presumes intent or malice, revealing a heart set against both God and neighbor.

Occurrences in the New Testament

• Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21 – Jesus lists “murders” among the defilements that arise “out of the heart,” demonstrating that homicidal acts begin with internal corruption long before outward violence occurs.
• Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19, 25 – Barabbas is imprisoned “for murder” committed in an insurrection, illustrating civil rebellion coupled with personal violence; the crowd’s choice of Barabbas over Jesus underscores the depth of human depravity.
• Acts 9:1 – Saul of Tarsus is “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,” confirming that murderous intent can be directed against God’s people and that conversion transforms even the most violent opponent.
• Romans 1:29 – “They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness… murder,” placing homicide among the marks of societal degeneration when God gives people over to their depraved minds.
• Hebrews 11:37 – The faithful “were put to death by the sword,” linking murder with martyrdom; the world’s hostility toward God’s witnesses has a long pedigree.
• Revelation 9:21 – Despite severe judgment, the unrepentant “did not repent of their murders,” indicating an eschatological persistence of violent sin that will draw final divine wrath.

Old Testament Background and Continuity

From Genesis 4 onward, murder fractures human community. The law distinguishes intentional killing from accidental but always upholds the sanctity of life (Numbers 35:9-34). The New Testament usage of φόνος assumes this moral framework, reinforcing continuity between covenants.

Heart-Level Diagnosis

Jesus internalizes the commandment: “Everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:22). By rooting murder in anger, hatred, and envy, He exposes the universal need for inner transformation rather than mere external restraint.

Civil Authority and Justice

Luke’s references to Barabbas show that society recognizes murder as worthy of imprisonment and execution. Romans 13:4 affirms the governing authority “does not bear the sword in vain,” legitimizing the state’s role in punishing murderers to curb chaos.

Martyrdom and Prophetic Witness

Hebrews 11:37 reminds believers that faithful testimony may provoke murderous persecution. The blood of martyrs, however, is precious to God and will be vindicated (Revelation 6:9-11). This historical pattern fortifies the church to endure hostility without retaliation.

Eschatological Warning

Revelation 9:21 portrays a rebellious humanity clinging to murder even under judgment. Such persistence highlights the necessity of repentance while time remains and foreshadows the final exclusion of murderers from “the city” (Revelation 22:15).

Pastoral and Discipleship Implications

1. Sanctity of Life: Christians champion the defense of unborn, elderly, and vulnerable lives, opposing all forms of intentional killing.
2. Anger Management: Teaching must address resentment, vengeance, and violent entertainment that desensitize hearts.
3. Evangelism: Acts 9:1-19 proves that the gospel can transform would-be murderers into missionaries; no sinner is beyond grace.
4. Perseverance under Persecution: Hebrews 11:37 prepares believers for potential violent opposition, encouraging steadfast faith and non-retaliation.

Ministry Applications

• Counseling: Guide those wrestling with hatred or past violence toward confession, forgiveness, and restitution.
• Community Engagement: Partner with authorities and ministries that reduce violence and care for victims’ families.
• Preaching Series: Explore the sixth commandment, Jesus’ heart exposition, and New Testament texts on φόνος to cultivate a culture of life.

Summary Statement

Φόνος represents the most flagrant assault on God’s image-bearers and springs from a heart estranged from God. Scripture confronts not only the act but the motive, provides civil remedies, promises ultimate justice, and offers transforming grace through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

φονοι φόνοι φονοίς φονον φόνον φόνος φονου φόνου φόνους φονω φόνω φόνῳ φονων φόνων φορβέαν φορεία φορείον phono phonō phonoi phónoi phónōi phonon phonōn phónon phónōn phonou phónou

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 15:19 N-NMP
GRK: διαλογισμοὶ πονηροί φόνοι μοιχεῖαι πορνεῖαι
NAS: thoughts, murders, adulteries,
KJV: thoughts, murders, adulteries,
INT: thoughts evil murders adulteries sexual immorality

Mark 7:21 N-NMP
GRK: πορνεῖαι κλοπαί φόνοι μοιχεῖαι
NAS: thefts, murders, adulteries,
KJV: adulteries, fornications, murders,
INT: sexual immorality thefts murders adulteries

Mark 15:7 N-AMS
GRK: τῇ στάσει φόνον πεποιήκεισαν
NAS: had committed murder in the insurrection.
KJV: had committed murder in
INT: the insurrection murder had committed

Luke 23:19 N-AMS
GRK: πόλει καὶ φόνον βληθεὶς ἐν
NAS: made in the city, and for murder.)
KJV: and for murder, was cast
INT: city and murder having been cast into

Luke 23:25 N-AMS
GRK: στάσιν καὶ φόνον βεβλημένον εἰς
NAS: for insurrection and murder, but he delivered
KJV: sedition and murder was cast into
INT: insurrection and murder had been cast into

Acts 9:1 N-GMS
GRK: ἀπειλῆς καὶ φόνου εἰς τοὺς
NAS: threats and murder against
KJV: and slaughter against
INT: threats and murder toward the

Romans 1:29 N-GMS
GRK: μεστοὺς φθόνου φόνου ἔριδος δόλου
NAS: full of envy, murder, strife, deceit,
KJV: full of envy, murder, debate, deceit,
INT: full of envy murder strife deceit

Hebrews 11:37 N-DMS
GRK: ἐπρίσθησαν ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρης ἀπέθανον
KJV: with the sword: they wandered about
INT: they were sawed in two by slaughter of [the] sword they died

Revelation 9:21 N-GMP
GRK: ἐκ τῶν φόνων αὐτῶν οὔτε
NAS: and they did not repent of their murders nor
KJV: of their murders, nor of
INT: of the murders of them nor

Strong's Greek 5408
9 Occurrences

φόνῳ — 1 Occ.
φόνων — 1 Occ.
φόνοι — 2 Occ.
φόνον — 3 Occ.
φόνου — 2 Occ.