Brief Overview of θεῖον (Strong’s G2303: theion)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words like θεῖον (theion) is essential for Biblical studies, as it opens up deeper insights into both theological concepts and the culture of ancient Greece. The word θεῖον, commonly translated as “brimstone” or “sulfur,” carries significant weight in both the New Testament and classical Greek literature. In Biblical texts, it is often used in contexts of divine judgment and purification, such as in descriptions of fire and brimstone. In ancient Greek culture, sulfur was seen as a substance with both purifying and destructive properties, further enriching its usage and meaning in various texts.

Key Information

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• The Greek Word: θεῖον (theion), [THEE-on]
• Etymology: Derived from the Greek word θεῖος (theios), meaning “divine” or “god-like.” The root is related to the concept of deity and divine power, reflecting the belief in the sacred or purifying properties of brimstone.
• Part of Speech: Noun (neuter)
• Declension: Second declension noun
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Sulfur, brimstone.
• Metaphorically, it can imply divine judgment or purification by fire.

Similar Words: πῦρ (pyr), [pyr] – While θεῖον specifically refers to sulfur or brimstone, πῦρ means “fire.” Both terms are often associated in scriptural contexts dealing with purification, divine wrath, or judgment, but πῦρ has a broader application beyond the context of brimstone.

Further Insights: The noun θεῖον is a neuter noun following the second declension, which is a typical pattern for Greek nouns. Below is a table chart showing its full declension:

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek: Understanding Greek Grammar: A Beginner’s Guide.

Lexicon Insights

• BDAG: Describes θεῖον as “sulfur” or “brimstone,” specifically noting its use in the Bible to depict divine retribution, such as in the context of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction. It also highlights its ancient use in purifying rituals.
• Thayers: Provides a similar definition, emphasizing θεῖον as a combustible substance used in ancient Greek rites for purification. Thayer’s also points out the metaphorical use of brimstone to signify divine wrath and destruction.
• Vines: Focuses on the word’s significance in scriptural contexts involving judgment. θεῖον is presented as a divine agent of purification, employed in imagery to communicate God’s righteous judgment.
• LSJ: Elaborates on the general usage of θεῖον in ancient Greek literature, where sulfur was not only seen as a purifying agent but also as a material associated with divine or magical properties.
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists θεῖον as “brimstone,” reinforcing its common biblical application in narratives of judgment and divine purification.

Related Scripture References

• Revelation 21:8: “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur [θεῖον]. This is the second death.”
• Revelation 9:17: “The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur [θεῖον]. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur.”
• Luke 17:29: “But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur [θεῖον] rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.”

Classical Usage

Summary of θεῖον (G2303: theion)

The Greek word θεῖον (G2303: theion), meaning “sulfur” or “brimstone,” is rich with connotations of both divine judgment and purification. Its use in the Bible, particularly in the context of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the visions in Revelation, emphasizes God’s power to purify and judge. In classical Greek literature, θεῖον is similarly associated with cleansing and divine properties, adding layers of meaning to its Biblical use. The term encapsulates both the fearsome aspect of divine wrath and the sacred act of purification, reflecting the broader theological and cultural beliefs of the time.

Did You Know?

The ancient Greeks believed that burning sulfur, or θεῖον, had both purifying and protective properties. They often used it in religious rituals to cleanse sacred spaces or drive away evil spirits. This belief in sulfur’s divine properties carried over into Biblical texts, where brimstone becomes a powerful symbol of God’s purifying judgment, most famously in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction. In modern language, “fire and brimstone” sermons still evoke this image of divine retribution and cleansing.