ἶρις (iris)
iris
rainbow
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word iris refers to a rainbow or, more broadly, a luminous halo in the sky. It appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in the book of Revelation. In these passages, John uses the term to describe the radiant appearance surrounding God’s throne and the figure standing on the sea and land, emphasizing a visual splendor that signals divine presence.
While the word originally named the messenger goddess Iris in pagan mythology, the biblical usage strips away those associations to focus entirely on the natural phenomenon of light refracted through moisture. The sources note that this specific term is distinct from the word for "bow" (toxon) used in Genesis 9:13, where it serves as a covenant sign. Here, however, iris functions less as a promise of preservation and more as an image of overwhelming glory and majesty.
This rare vocabulary choice highlights the otherworldly nature of John’s vision. By describing the throne’s atmosphere with the word for rainbow, the text connects the heavenly scene to familiar atmospheric optics while elevating it into a symbol of God’s transcendent light. The imagery remains static and majestic, framing the divine authority rather than depicting a transient weather event.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When John describes the throne room in Revelation, he uses the word for rainbow to frame the presence of God. This is not a fleeting weather pattern but a permanent halo of glory surrounding the divine majesty. It reminds us that God’s authority is wrapped in light, connecting the heavenly reality to something familiar yet infinitely greater than our earthly skies.
We also see this radiant sign on the head of the mighty angel who stands between heaven and earth. In these visions, the rainbow signals that God is actively engaged with His creation. It offers a glimpse of stability and power, reassuring believers that the ultimate authority over history rests in hands surrounded by divine splendor.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rainbow1×
- a rainbow1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἶρις2×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 4:3
that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at.
This verse places the rainbow directly around God's throne, using it to describe the enduring glory and majesty of His presence rather than a covenant promise.
-
Revelation of John 10:1
I saw a mighty angel coming down out of the sky, clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.
Here the rainbow crowns the mighty angel, linking the figure's authority to the divine light that surrounds the throne in the previous vision.