σηρικός

silken

Definition

The adjective σηρικός (sērikos) means 'silken' or 'made of silk.' It specifically describes items crafted from the luxurious, fine fabric known as silk. In the New Testament, its sole occurrence is in Revelation 18:12, where it is listed among the extravagant cargo of 'Babylon' (representing a corrupt commercial system) that will be lost. The word functions purely as a material descriptor, with no additional metaphorical senses in biblical usage.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in the book of Revelation. It appears in a long inventory of luxury goods in Revelation 18:12, cataloging the precious merchandise of the fallen city. Its usage is purely descriptive, highlighting the extreme opulence and material wealth that characterizes the system under God's judgment. There are no patterns of usage beyond this single, context-specific listing.

Etymology

The word σηρικός (sērikos) is derived from Σῆρες (Sēres), the ancient Greek name for the people from whom silk was obtained—generally understood to refer to the Chinese. Thus, it literally means 'of the Seres' or 'from the land of the Seres,' directly linking the material to its distant, exotic origin. It is a straightforward adjective formed from a proper noun.

Semantic Range

In the ancient world, silk was an extraordinarily expensive and rare import from the Far East, synonymous with ultimate luxury and status. Its inclusion in the list in Revelation 18:12 is not merely a material description but a powerful symbol of decadent wealth, extravagant trade, and the global reach of the corrupt commercial system Babylon represents. For the original readers, this item would have immediately conveyed ideas of excessive cost, foreign opulence, and worldly splendor.

There are no direct synonyms for 'silken' in the Greek New Testament. Other words for fine fabrics in Revelation 18:12 include: βύσσινος (bussinos, G1039) — fine linen, and πορφύρα (porphyra, G4209) — purple cloth.

Word Details

Scripture References