κῆρυξ (kērux)
kērux
preacher
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kērux refers to a herald or public messenger who carried official commands from a ruler or magistrate. In the ancient world, this person held significant authority because they spoke not with their own voice, but as the representative of someone greater. The New Testament uses this term to describe those appointed to proclaim the divine message, emphasizing that their role is defined by the weight of the message rather than their personal status.
This word appears in only three verses, specifically in 2 Timothy 1:11, 2 Timothy 2:7, and 2 Peter 2:5. In these passages, it highlights the serious nature of Christian ministry. For instance, Paul identifies himself as a preacher of this gospel, linking his authority directly to God’s commission. The term underscores that believers are messengers entrusted with a public summons, called to deliver a truth that originates from heaven.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kērux describes a herald who carried official commands from a ruler. In the ancient world, this person held significant authority because they spoke not with their own voice, but as the representative of someone greater. The New Testament uses this term to describe those appointed to proclaim the divine message, emphasizing that their role is defined by the weight of the message rather than their personal status.
This word appears in only three verses, specifically in 2 Timothy 1:11, 2 Timothy 2:7, and 2 Peter 2:5. In these passages, it highlights the serious nature of Christian ministry. For instance, Paul identifies himself as a preacher of this gospel, linking his authority directly to God’s commission.
The term underscores that believers are messengers entrusted with a public summons, called to deliver a truth that originates from heaven. This reminds us that our witness is not about our own eloquence or status, but about faithfully delivering the message given to us by Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a herald3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κῆρυξ2×
- κήρυκα1×
Key Verses
-
II Timothy 1:11
For this I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
Paul uses this term to describe his divine appointment, linking his authority directly to God’s commission rather than human selection.
-
II Peter 2:5
and didn’t spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood on the world of the ungodly,
Noah is called a herald of righteousness, showing that proclaiming God's truth involves warning others of coming judgment and calling them to right living.
-
I Timothy 2:7
to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Paul reiterates his role as a preacher and teacher, grounding his message in the truth of Christ rather than human opinion.