χιών
snow
Definition
The Greek word χιών (chiōn) means 'snow,' referring literally to frozen precipitation. In the New Testament, it is used both for its literal, physical quality of whiteness and brightness, as seen in the description of Jesus' transfigured clothing (Mark 9:3), and for its metaphorical association with brilliant, pure whiteness. This metaphorical sense describes the dazzling appearance of the angel at the resurrection (Matthew 28:3) and the hair of the risen Christ in a vision, symbolizing wisdom and purity (Revelation 1:14).
Biblical Usage
The word is used three times in the New Testament, always in descriptive passages emphasizing extreme whiteness or brilliance. In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, it describes the supernatural radiance of clothing (Matthew 28:3, Mark 9:3). In Revelation, it is applied to hair, contributing to a majestic and awe-inspiring portrait of Christ (Revelation 1:14). There is no abstract or purely meteorological usage; every instance conveys a visual ideal of purity and glory.
Etymology
Derived from the ancient Greek noun χιών (chiōn), meaning 'snow.' It is a primary word with cognates in other Indo-European languages. The meaning remained consistent from classical through Koine Greek, carrying both the literal sense and common symbolic associations with whiteness and purity.
Semantic Range
While a simple noun, 'snow' in these contexts carries theological weight as a symbol of divine purity, holiness, and glory. Its use to describe Jesus' transfigured appearance and the angel at the tomb underscores the otherworldly brilliance of divine revelation. In Revelation 1:14, the snow-white hair of the Son of Man evokes imagery of ancient wisdom and eternal purity (cf. Daniel 7:9), enriching the reader's understanding of Christ's majestic and authoritative nature.
In the ancient Mediterranean world, snow was a known but relatively rare phenomenon, often associated with mountain peaks. Its whiteness made it a natural and powerful symbol for purity, cleanness, and brilliance in both Jewish and Greco-Roman literature (e.g., Isaiah 1:18). This cultural symbolism is directly employed by the biblical authors to communicate transcendent qualities.
λευκός (leukos, G3022) — An adjective meaning 'white,' 'bright,' or 'shining,' often used to describe garments or objects; χιών specifies the substance (snow) that exemplifies this quality.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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