ἦχος (ēchos)
ēchos
sound
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun ēchos denotes a distinct sound or noise, often carrying a sense of resonance or rumble. In the New Testament, it describes physical phenomena such as the roar of sea waves in Luke 21:25 and the blast of a trumpet in Hebrews 12:19. Its usage in Acts 2:2 captures the sudden, startling noise that drew a crowd to the disciples on Pentecost.
Beyond literal acoustics, the word extends to mean a report or rumor. Luke 4:37 illustrates this figurative sense, where news of Jesus’ teaching spread rapidly through Galilee. This dual usage highlights how physical sound can quickly become information circulating among people.
Etymologically, the term is linked to uncertain origins but consistently conveys impact rather than mere tone. Translators render it variously as "sound," "noise," or "report" depending on context. The word emphasizes the effect of the auditory experience on listeners, whether they are reacting to a natural event or hearing news about a person.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word ēchos simply means sound, yet it carries a weight of presence. In Acts 2:2, this sound arrived like a mighty wind, filling a room and gathering a crowd. It was not background noise but an event that demanded attention, reminding us that God often speaks in ways that break into our ordinary routines.
Similarly, Luke 4:37 uses the term to describe how news of Jesus spread rapidly through Galilee. Here, the sound is not just auditory but informational—a report that changed lives. This shows us that what we hear can travel far beyond its source, influencing hearts and communities in unexpected ways.
Whether it is the roar of the sea or the blast of a trumpet, these sounds signal something significant happening. They invite us to listen closely, not just with our ears but with our whole lives, recognizing that divine messages often come with impact and resonance that we cannot ignore.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to [the] sound1×
- a sound1×
- [the] sound1×
- [the] report1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἦχος2×
- ἤχῳ1×
- ἤχους1×
Key Verses
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Acts 2:2
Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
This occurrence marks the dramatic arrival of the Holy Spirit, where the sound functions as a tangible sign that gathers believers together.
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Luke 4:37
News about him went out into every place of the surrounding region.
Here the word shifts from physical noise to spreading news, illustrating how the impact of Jesus' teaching quickly reached surrounding regions.
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Hebrews 12:19
the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which those who heard it begged that not one more word should be spoken to them,
The sound of the trumpet here represents the terrifying majesty of God's law, contrasting sharply with the grace offered in Christ.