Lexical Summary chrusous: Golden Original Word: χρυσοῦς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance goldenFrom chrusos; made of gold -- of gold, golden. see GREEK chrusos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5552 xrýseos (an adjective) – golden, or overlaid with gold. See 5553 (xrysion). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chrusos Definition golden NASB Translation gold (4), golden (14). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5552: χρύσεοςχρύσεος, χρυσεα, χρύσεον, contracted χρυσοῦς, χρυσῇ, χρυσοῦν (but accusative singular feminine χρυσᾶν, Revelation 1:13 L T Tr WH; genitive plural χρυσέων, Revelation 2:1 L Tr; (on its inflection cf. Buttmann, 26 (23); Phryn., Lob edition, p. 207; Liddell and Scott, under the word, at the beginning)) (χρυσός), from Homer down, golden; made of gold; also overlaid or covered with gold: 2 Timothy 2:20; Hebrews 9:4; Revelation 1:12f, 20; Revelation 2:1; Revelation 4:4; Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3; Revelation 9:7 Griesbach, STRONGS NT 5552: χρυσοῦςχρυσοῦς, see χρύσεος. Topical Lexicon Scope of Usage in the New Testament The adjective appears eighteen times, almost entirely in Hebrews and Revelation. Hebrews 9:4 locates it in the earthly sanctuary, while every other occurrence stands in apocalyptic or eschatological settings. The term modifies vessels (Revelation 5:8; Revelation 15:7), lampstands (Revelation 1:12; Revelation 1:20), crowns (Revelation 4:4; Revelation 14:14), censer (Revelation 8:3), girdle (Revelation 1:13), and even the measuring reed used to size the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:15). It is once attached to idols in a scene of judgment (Revelation 9:20) and once to a luxurious cup in the hand of “Babylon the Great” (Revelation 17:4). The prevalence of the adjective in Revelation underlines a dominant Johannine concern: the disclosure of divine glory as well as the exposure of counterfeit glory. Old Covenant Precursors Gold was integral to the tabernacle (Exodus 25–40) and later the temple (1 Kings 6–8). By describing the altar and ark as “golden” (Hebrews 9:4), the writer to the Hebrews deliberately echoes Exodus in order to show continuity between the earthly sanctuary and the heavenly reality to which it pointed. The adjective thus becomes a bridge, linking the Mosaic ritual to its fulfillment in Christ’s high-priestly work (Hebrews 8:1–6). Symbol of Divine Glory and Purity Gold resists corrosion and retains brilliance; Scripture consistently harnesses these traits to signify holiness, worth, and permanence. Revelation repeatedly places “golden” items in close proximity to the throne of God: The adjective does more than describe color; it marks an object as set apart for the worship of the Almighty. Contrast Between True and False Worship In Revelation 9:20 the survivors of the trumpet judgments “did not repent of the works of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold…”. The same metal that adorns heaven’s sanctuary becomes an object of idolatry on earth. Revelation 17:4 heightens the contrast: “The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her adultery.” The adjective underscores the sham splendor of Babylon, calling believers to discern between genuine divine majesty and seductive worldly opulence. Priestly and Royal Associations When John sees “One like a Son of Man…with a golden sash around His chest” (Revelation 1:13), the adjective signals dignity and investiture. The golden crowns of Revelation 4:4 and 14:14 further tie the word to royal authority. In both cases, authority is exercised under the sovereignty of God, emphasizing that all legitimate rule derives from Him. Worship and Prayer Golden bowls of incense (Revelation 5:8; Revelation 15:7) portray prayer as precious. The contents—“the prayers of the saints”—share the adjective’s value, encouraging believers that their petitions are treasured in heaven. Eschatological Fulfillment In Revelation 21:15 an angel measures the New Jerusalem with a “golden measuring rod,” indicating that the city itself conforms to the standard of divine glory. Gold no longer decorates isolated furnishings; it characterizes the entire dwelling of God with humanity. What the tabernacle foreshadowed and the temple anticipated is fully realized. Pastoral Implications 1. Worship: Only what is purified and consecrated may stand in God’s presence. Believers are called to offer lives that reflect the “gold” of tested faith (compare 1 Peter 1:7). Summary In every New Testament occurrence the adjective points to value, purity, and glory—either affirming them in holy service or exposing their counterfeit in idolatry. By tracing its usage from the earthly sanctuary to the New Jerusalem, Scripture weaves a consistent message: God alone bestows true glory, and He intends to share that glory with a purified people who worship Him in spirit and truth. Forms and Transliterations χρυσα χρυσά χρυσᾶ χρυσαί χρυσαίς χρυσαν χρυσᾶν χρυσας χρυσάς χρυσᾶς χρύσεον χρυση χρυσή χρυσῆ χρυσήν χρυσής χρυσοί χρυσοίς χρυσου χρυσού χρυσοῦ χρυσουν χρυσούν χρυσοῦν χρυσους χρυσούς χρυσοῦς χρυσων χρυσών χρυσῶν chrusa chrusan chrusas chruse chrusē chruson chrusōn chrusou chrusoun chrusous chrysa chrysâ chrysan chrysân chrysas chrysâs chryse chrysê chrysē chrysē̂ chryson chrysôn chrysōn chrysō̂n chrysou chrysoû chrysoun chrysoûn chrysous chrysoûsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Timothy 2:20 Adj-NNPGRK: μόνον σκεύη χρυσᾶ καὶ ἀργυρᾶ NAS: there are not only gold and silver KJV: only vessels of gold and of silver, INT: only vessels golden and silver Hebrews 9:4 Adj-ANS Hebrews 9:4 Adj-NFS Revelation 1:12 Adj-AFP Revelation 1:13 Adj-AFS Revelation 1:20 Adj-AFP Revelation 2:1 Adj-GFP Revelation 4:4 Adj-AMP Revelation 5:8 Adj-AFP Revelation 8:3 Adj-AMS Revelation 8:3 Adj-ANS Revelation 9:13 Adj-GNS Revelation 9:20 Adj-ANP Revelation 14:14 Adj-AMS Revelation 15:6 Adj-AFP Revelation 15:7 Adj-AFP Revelation 17:4 Adj-ANS Revelation 21:15 Adj-AMS Strong's Greek 5552 |
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