χίλιοι

a thousand

Definition

The Greek adjective χίλιοι (chilioi) means 'a thousand' and is used in the New Testament exclusively as a numeral to denote the quantity one thousand. It appears most prominently in the Book of Revelation, where it is used to describe specific periods of time, such as the thousand-year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:2-7). In 2 Peter 3:8, the word is used metaphorically within the phrase 'a thousand years are like a day' to illustrate God's transcendence over time, contrasting divine and human perspectives. In its literal sense, it quantifies large numbers, as seen in the measurement of the martyrs' blood flowing for 'a thousand six hundred stadia' (Revelation 14:20).

Biblical Usage

This word is used ten times in the New Testament, with nine occurrences found in the Book of Revelation and one in 2 Peter. In Revelation, it consistently describes a period of a thousand years, particularly in chapter 20, where it is repeated seven times in connection with the millennial reign (Revelation 20:2-7). It also appears in prophetic timeframes, such as the 1,260 days (equivalent to roughly three and a half years) in Revelation 11:3 and 12:6. The single use in 2 Peter 3:8 employs the number metaphorically to teach about God's patience and eternal nature.

Etymology

Derived from the ancient Greek χίλιοι (chilioi), meaning 'a thousand'. It is a primary numeral with cognates in other Indo-European languages. The word itself does not have a complex derivation but functions as a standard numerical term in Koine Greek.

Semantic Range

χίλιοι is theologically significant as the root of the term 'millennium,' referring to the thousand-year reign of Christ described in Revelation 20. This passage is central to eschatological debates concerning premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism. In 2 Peter 3:8, its metaphorical use highlights God's eternal perspective and patience in salvation history, contrasting human and divine understandings of time. Understanding this Greek term enriches the study of biblical prophecy and the nature of God's kingdom.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, a thousand was a conventional number used to signify a very large, complete, or ideal period, not necessarily a precise mathematical count. This symbolic use is evident in Revelation, where 'a thousand years' likely represents a long, divinely appointed era of fulfillment rather than a literal 1,000-year calendar period. The cultural understanding differs from a modern, strictly literal interpretation of numbers.

μύριοι (myrioi, G3463) — means 'ten thousand' or an innumerable multitude, used for an indefinitely large number, whereas χίλιοι is a specific thousand.

Word Details

Scripture References