ἀργύρεος (argureos)
argureos
silver
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective argureos describes something made of or resembling silver. In the New Testament, it functions as a simple material descriptor, distinguishing objects crafted from this precious metal rather than gold, wood, or clay.
Its usage is sparse but specific. Acts 19:24 employs it to identify the shrines of Artemis that Demetrius the silversmith sold, highlighting the economic stakes behind Paul’s preaching. Revelation 9:20 uses it to describe idols made of silver, placing these objects in a list of materials that include gold and wood, thereby emphasizing their physical, crafted nature as false gods.
The word derives directly from arguros, the noun for silver itself. It does not carry metaphorical weight regarding purity or value in these contexts but serves a concrete, descriptive role. Translators consistently render it as "of silver" or "silver," maintaining the literal sense of the material composition without adding theological nuance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word argureos simply means "made of silver." In the New Testament, it appears only three times, always as a straightforward description of material. It does not carry hidden spiritual metaphors about purity or value in these specific instances. Instead, it grounds us in the physical reality of the objects people valued and worshipped.
When Demetrius the silversmith made shrines for Artemis, he used this metal to create income and influence (Acts 19:24). Similarly, Revelation describes idols crafted from silver alongside gold and wood (Revelation 9:20). These passages remind us that humans often place their trust in tangible, expensive things rather than in God.
Paul’s letter to Timothy also mentions vessels of silver among others in a large house (II Timothy 2:20). This imagery invites reflection on how we use our resources. Are our lives built on fleeting wealth, or are we prepared for honorable service? The simplicity of the word calls us to examine what truly holds value in our hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- silver3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀργυρᾶ2×
- ἀργυροῦς1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 19:24
For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen,
This occurrence highlights the economic power behind idolatry, showing how silver was used to sustain false worship and oppose the gospel.
-
Revelation of John 9:20
The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn’t repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn’t worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood, which can’t see, hear, or walk.
Here, silver idols are listed among other man-made objects that cannot see or walk, emphasizing the futility of trusting in crafted things.
-
II Timothy 2:20
Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor and some for dishonor.
The word distinguishes vessels of honor from those of dishonor within a household, illustrating how believers can be set apart for God's use.