Pronunciation Guide: ah-lek-tore

Basic Definition

Strong’s G220: ἀλέκτωρ (alektōr) refers to a rooster or cock, specifically a male domesticated fowl. In biblical context, it is most notably associated with the timing of Peter’s denial of the Messiah Jesus, marking significant moments through its crowing. The word carries profound theological significance as a timekeeper and symbol of divine foreknowledge.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Masculine Noun
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections, particularly in the Gospels
• Context: Often appears in temporal phrases marking time
• Register: Common household term

ἀλέκτωρ Morphology:

• ἀλέκτωρ (nominative singular) – a rooster
• ἀλέκτορα (accusative singular) – the rooster
• ἀλέκτορος (genitive singular) – of the rooster

Origin & History

The term ἀλέκτωρ appears in classical Greek literature as early as the 5th century BCE. Aristophanes frequently employed it in his comedies, particularly in “The Birds,” where he plays with its association with dawn and awakening. The word likely derives from the concept of “non-sleeping” or “wakeful one,” combining ἀ- (not) and λέκτρον (bed).

In Hellenistic times, the rooster gained particular significance as a timekeeper, especially for the night watches. This understanding carried through to the Second Temple period, where roosters were common in Jerusalem and surrounding areas, their crowing serving as natural timekeepers for both urban and rural populations.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A male chicken, specifically one that crows
• A timekeeper marking the watches of the night
• A symbol of awakening and alertness

ἀλέκτωρ Translation Options:

• “Rooster” – Most common in modern translations, reflecting the domesticated nature
• “Cock” – Traditional rendering, particularly in KJV tradition
• “Cockerel” – Specifically emphasizing the male gender
• “Chanticleer” – Literary usage emphasizing its role as herald of dawn

Biblical Usage

The word ἀλέκτωρ appears exclusively in the Passion narratives of all four Gospels, specifically in the prophecy and fulfillment of Peter’s denial of Jesus. Its usage creates a powerful timeframe that builds tension and demonstrates the precise fulfillment of the Messiah’s prophecy.

In the Septuagint (LXX), the word appears sparsely, primarily in Proverbs where it is associated with confident walking and natural timing. This background enriches its New Testament usage where it becomes a divine timestamp for crucial events in redemptive history.

• “[Jesus said to him,] ‘Truly I tell you that this very night, before a rooster [ἀλέκτωρ] crows, you will deny Me three times.'” Matthew 26:34
• “Immediately a rooster [ἀλέκτωρ] crowed.” Matthew 26:74
• “Before the rooster [ἀλέκτωρ] crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” Mark 14:30
• “Before the rooster [ἀλέκτωρ] crows today, you will deny Me three times.” Luke 22:61
• “A rooster [ἀλέκτωρ] will not crow until you deny Me three times.” John 13:38

Cultural Insights

In first-century Jerusalem, the crowing of roosters was so reliable that it was used to mark the end of the third watch of the night (around 3 AM) and the beginning of the fourth watch. The Mishnah even references the “rooster’s crow” as a specific time marker for various religious duties. Archaeological evidence from the period shows numerous depictions of roosters on pottery and coins, indicating their cultural significance.

The Talmud mentions that during the Second Temple period, roosters were not permitted to be raised within Jerusalem’s walls due to concerns about ritual purity. However, their crowing from the surrounding villages was still clearly audible throughout the city, making them reliable timekeepers for everyone, including the priests serving in the Temple.

Theological Significance

The ἀλέκτωρ serves as a powerful testament to divine sovereignty and foreknowledge. When Jesus prophesied Peter’s denial would occur before the rooster’s crow, He demonstrated His divine knowledge of future events down to the precise timing. This timing wasn’t just approximate – it was exact to the very moment of the rooster’s crow.

The rooster’s crow also carries deep symbolism of awakening – not just to the physical dawn, but to spiritual reality. For Peter, the crow of the ἀλέκτωρ became a divine alarm clock, awakening him to the reality of his failure and need for redemption. This moment marks the transition from his self-confidence to his broken dependency on the Messiah’s grace.

Personal Application

Just as the rooster’s crow served as a wake-up call for Peter, we too need moments of awakening in our spiritual lives. These moments, though often painful, can become turning points where we move from self-reliance to complete dependence on God’s grace. The ἀλέκτωρ reminds us that God can use even ordinary creatures and everyday occurrences to bring about profound spiritual transformation.

Consider how God might be using “wake-up calls” in your own life. Are there areas where He’s trying to rouse you from spiritual slumber or self-dependence? Like Peter, these moments of realization can become the foundation for deeper faith and more authentic ministry.

Related Words

• φωνέω (phōneō) – to call out, crow – Used specifically of the rooster’s cry, emphasizing the audible nature of the signal. See G5455
• ὄρνις (ornis) – bird, specifically a hen – Used by Jesus in His lament over Jerusalem, providing a maternal contrast. See G3733
• νύξ (nyx) – night – Often appears in context with ἀλέκτωρ to mark time periods. See G3571
• πρωΐ (prōi) – early morning – Associated with the time of the rooster’s crow. See G4404

Did you Know?

• Archaeological evidence from first-century Jerusalem includes several carved stone weights shaped like roosters, suggesting their cultural significance extended beyond mere timekeeping into commerce and daily life.
• The specific mention of “before the rooster crows twice” in Mark’s Gospel reflects his characteristic attention to detail and possible connection to Peter’s eyewitness account, as roosters typically crow multiple times in the early morning hours.
• Modern studies have shown that roosters don’t simply respond to light but have an internal biological clock that allows them to anticipate dawn, making them incredibly reliable timekeepers – just as they were in biblical times.

Remember This

The ἀλέκτωρ stands as an eternal reminder that our God is so sovereign that He can use even a common rooster to orchestrate the precise timing of redemptive history and personal transformation.