χάλκοῦς

made of bronze

Definition

The adjective χάλκοῦς (chalkoys) describes something made of bronze or brass, a durable alloy of copper and tin. In the New Testament, it specifically refers to idols or objects fashioned from this metal. Its sole biblical occurrence is in Revelation 9:20, where it is used in a list of materials from which false idols are constructed, alongside gold, silver, stone, and wood. The word emphasizes the physical substance of the idol, highlighting its man-made, material nature in contrast to the living God.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in the book of Revelation. It appears in Revelation 9:20 within a prophetic condemnation of idolatry. The context is the aftermath of a divine judgment, where those who survive still refuse to repent and instead worship 'idols of gold and silver and bronze (χάλκοῦς) and stone and wood.' Its usage is part of a standard list of materials for idols, a pattern also seen in the Old Testament (e.g., Daniel 5:4, 23).

Etymology

Derived from the Greek noun χάλκος (chalkos, G5475), meaning 'copper,' 'bronze,' or 'brass.' The suffix -οῦς forms an adjective meaning 'made of' that material. The root word is ancient, with cognates in other Indo-European languages, reflecting the early and widespread use of copper and its alloys in tools, weapons, and currency in the ancient Mediterranean world.

Semantic Range

While the word itself simply denotes a material, its theological significance in Revelation 9:20 is profound. It is part of a stark indictment of human rebellion and idolatry. The listing of 'bronze' among other materials underscores the futility of worshiping anything created by human hands, no matter how valuable or durable. Understanding that χάλκοῦς specifies the idol's substance reinforces the biblical theme of the Creator-creature distinction and the foolishness of substituting the immortal God with perishable, man-made objects.

In the Greco-Roman world, bronze was a common and valuable material used for statues, coins, armor, and household items. Idols of deities were frequently cast in bronze. The biblical list (gold, silver, bronze, stone, wood) reflects a descending order of perceived value and permanence in ancient material culture. A 'bronze' idol would have been considered more substantial and costly than one of wood or stone, but the biblical text places them all in the same category of worthless objects of false worship.

χάλκος (chalkos, G5475) — The noun for the metal 'bronze' or 'copper' itself, whereas χάλκοῦς is the adjective 'made of bronze.'

Word Details

Scripture References