ἔριον (erion)
erion
wool
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun erion simply means wool. It appears in two New Testament passages: Hebrews 9:19 and Revelation 1:14. In Hebrews, it describes the material used in the ritual sprinkling that purified the earthly tabernacle. This connects to Old Testament laws where wool played a role in ceremonial cleansing.
In Revelation, John sees Jesus with hair like white wool, symbolizing ancient wisdom and purity. The image evokes age and dignity, fitting for a vision of divine authority. The word itself has an obscure origin, but its meaning is clear and concrete.
Translators consistently render erion as "wool," reflecting its straightforward nature. It carries no hidden theological weight beyond what the context provides. In Hebrews, it points to ritual purity; in Revelation, to timeless majesty. The word serves as a tangible detail in both visions, grounding spiritual truths in physical reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word erion refers simply to wool, a material familiar in the ancient world for its warmth and utility. In Hebrews 9:19, it appears alongside scarlet dye during the ritual sprinkling that purified the tabernacle. This concrete detail reminds us that God’s commands were not abstract ideas but involved real substances and tangible actions. The physical nature of the ceremony points to a spiritual reality that required careful obedience.
In Revelation 1:14, John sees Jesus with hair like white wool, comparing it to snow. This imagery evokes ancient wisdom, dignity, and purity. It is not merely about age but about timeless authority and holiness. Seeing Christ described in such human terms helps us grasp His majesty without losing His accessibility. These two uses show how ordinary materials can carry profound meaning when placed in God’s hands.
Whether we look at the ritual cleansing of old or the vision of glory, wool serves as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. It grounds our faith in reality, showing that God cares about the details of creation. We can trust that He uses simple things to reveal deep truths about His character and purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- wool2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔριον1×
- ἐρίου1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 9:19
For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
This verse highlights wool as part of the ceremonial cleansing, showing how physical elements were used to signify spiritual purity in the old covenant.
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Revelation of John 1:14
His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
Here, white wool describes Jesus' hair, symbolizing His ancient wisdom and pure, eternal nature in a vision of divine authority.