Lexical Summary astrapé: Lightning, flash Original Word: ἀστραπή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lightning, bright shining. From astrapto; lightning; by analogy, glare -- lightning, bright shining. see GREEK astrapto NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom astraptó Definition lightning, brightness NASB Translation flashes of lightning (4), lightning (4), rays (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 796: ἀστραπήἀστραπή, ἀστραπῆς, ἡ, lightning: Luke 10:18; Luke 17:24; Matthew 24:27; Matthew 28:3; plural, Revelation 4:5; Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:18; of the gleam of a lamp, Luke 11:36 (so Aeschylus fragment (from schol. on Sophocles Oed. Col. 1047) 188 Ahrens, 372 Dindorf). Topical Lexicon Nature and Symbolism of ἀστραπή (astrapē) The term denotes the sudden blaze of lightning or an intense burst of radiant brilliance. In Scripture it consistently serves as a sensory marker of divine presence—whether in majestic glory, righteous judgment, or victorious power. The rapidity and vividness of lightning underscore attributes of God that are simultaneously awe-inspiring and unmistakable: transcendence, purity, swiftness, and sovereign authority. Old Testament Groundwork Though ἀστραπή itself appears only in the Greek New Testament, its imagery is firmly rooted in the Hebrew Bible, where lightning accompanies theophanies (Exodus 19:16; Psalm 29:7), proclaims His kingship (Psalm 97:4), and scatters enemies (2 Samuel 22:15). These antecedents prepare the reader to recognize lightning as a covenantal signpost of Yahweh’s unapproachable holiness and decisive intervention. Eschatological Teaching of Jesus (Matthew 24:27; Luke 17:24) “ For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27) The simile portrays the Parousia as public, global, and impossible to miss. Lightning’s speed rebukes speculative timetables; its universality assures every eye will see Him. Luke 17:24 parallels the point, stressing that the Second Advent will shatter secrecy and demand readiness. Cosmic Conflict and Satan’s Downfall (Luke 10:18) “ I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Here lightning conveys the instantaneous and irreversible nature of Satan’s defeat. Jesus speaks as the authoritative eyewitness of cosmic victory, encouraging the disciples that every subsequent ministry advance is grounded in this accomplished reality. Resurrection Glory (Matthew 28:3) “ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.” The angel’s radiance affirms that the empty tomb is no earthly intrigue but a heaven-initiated act. Lightning’s brilliance verifies the triumph of life over death and commissions the women as credible heralds of the risen Christ. Spiritual Illumination (Luke 11:36) “ Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it is dark, it will be radiant, as when the lamp shines on you with its brightness.” The metaphor shifts from atmospheric lightning to interior brilliance, teaching that unhindered obedience fills the believer with God’s own luminosity. What is descriptive of divine glory becomes prescriptive for discipleship: holiness that shines. Apocalyptic Throne-Room and Judgment Scenes (Revelation 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18) 1. Revelation 4:5 situates lightning “from the throne,” anchoring the heavenly liturgy in unapproachable majesty. Across Revelation, lightning punctuates divine actions, marking the transition from worship to wrath, from promise to fulfillment. Theological Synthesis • Divine Manifestation: Lightning testifies to God’s holiness (transcendent light) and His immanence (He acts within history). Historical Reception Early church writers (e.g., Irenaeus, Hippolytus) cited the lightning imagery to defend a visible, bodily return of Christ against spiritualizing interpretations. Medieval hymnody (“Dies Irae”) borrowed Revelation’s lightning-and-thunder sequence to evoke final judgment. Reformers appealed to Matthew 24:27 to challenge date-setting sects, insisting that Christ’s coming would be self-evident. Contemporary evangelical eschatology continues to draw from the same passages to affirm both imminence and universality. Ministry Application • Preaching: Use lightning texts to call hearers to urgency and repentance, highlighting that God’s interventions are sudden and decisive. Summary In every occurrence, ἀστραπή functions as more than meteorological description; it is a theological spotlight. Whether heralding judgment, victory, resurrection, or return, lightning fixes attention on the God who speaks in brilliant, transforming flashes—never ambiguous, always authoritative. Forms and Transliterations αστραπαι αστραπαί άστραπαι ἀστραπαὶ αστραπάς αστραπη αστραπή ἀστραπὴ ἀστραπῇ αστραπην αστραπήν ἀστραπὴν αστραπής astrapai astrapaì astrape astrapē astrapḕ astrapêi astrapē̂i astrapen astrapēn astrapḕnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 24:27 N-NFSGRK: γὰρ ἡ ἀστραπὴ ἐξέρχεται ἀπὸ NAS: For just as the lightning comes KJV: For as the lightning cometh out of INT: indeed the lightning comes forth from [the] Matthew 28:3 N-NFS Luke 10:18 N-AFS Luke 11:36 N-DFS Luke 17:24 N-NFS Revelation 4:5 N-NFP Revelation 8:5 N-NFP Revelation 11:19 N-NFP Revelation 16:18 N-NFP Strong's Greek 796 |
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