τόξον
a bow
Definition
The Greek word τόξον (toxon) specifically means 'a bow,' referring to the weapon used for shooting arrows. In the New Testament, it appears only in Revelation 6:2, where it is carried by the first horseman of the Apocalypse. This context gives the word a strong symbolic association with conquest and military power, rather than merely hunting or sport. The bow was a primary long-range weapon in ancient warfare, and its use here underscores the figure's role as a conqueror.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Revelation 6:2. It describes the weapon held by the rider on the white horse, who is given a crown and goes out 'conquering and to conquer.' The usage is entirely symbolic within John's apocalyptic vision, representing the instrument or means of this figure's victorious campaign.
Etymology
The word τόξον is a native Greek noun. It is related to the verb τόξεύω (toxeuō, G5114), meaning 'to shoot with a bow.' The term was used broadly in ancient Greek literature for the bow as a weapon, a tool for hunting, and even metaphorically for things that are bent or arched.
Semantic Range
In its sole biblical appearance, τόξον is theologically significant as part of the imagery of the Four Horsemen in Revelation 6. The bow, without explicit mention of arrows, symbolizes the power and authority to wage war and subjugate. It contributes to the complex portrait of divine judgment and the forces permitted to operate in the end times. Understanding this specific term enriches the reading by highlighting the precise instrument of conquest, differentiating this horseman from others who wield a sword or bring famine.
In the Greco-Roman world, the bow was a standard military weapon, particularly associated with cavalry, archers, and foreign armies (like the Parthians). Its presence in Revelation would immediately communicate themes of warfare, imperial expansion, and lethal force to the original audience. Unlike a sword, which implies close combat, a bow suggests the ability to strike from a distance, adding a layer of inescapable threat to the symbolic figure.
μάχαιρα (machaira, G3162) — a short sword or dagger for close combat. ῥομφαία (rhomphaia, G4501) — a large, broad sword or Thracian weapon, often used symbolically in Revelation.
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.
Full methodology & sources →