κρύσταλλος (krustallos)
krustallos
crystal
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek noun krustallos refers to crystal or clear glass-like material. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both in the Book of Revelation. The word is derived from kryos, meaning frost, which highlights its association with cold, hard, and transparent substances.
In Revelation 4:6, John describes a sea of glass like crystal surrounding God’s throne. Later, in Revelation 22:1, he sees a river of the water of life flowing from the throne, clear as crystal. These images emphasize purity, clarity, and divine holiness. The term likely evokes the visual quality of ice or quartz rather than a specific gemstone.
Translators typically render krustallos as "crystal" or "glass." Its limited use in Scripture gives it a specialized symbolic weight, reserved for moments that reveal heavenly reality. The connection to frost underscores its unyielding and pristine nature, fitting for descriptions of God’s presence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word krustallos appears only twice in the New Testament, both within the visionary landscapes of Revelation. It describes materials that are transparent, hard, and pure, evoking the clarity of ice or quartz rather than a common gemstone. This imagery helps us picture the holiness of God’s presence as something undisturbed by impurity or shadow.
In Revelation 4:6, John sees a sea of glass like crystal surrounding the throne. This vast expanse suggests a boundary between the divine and the created order, emphasizing God's transcendent purity. Later, in Revelation 22:1, a river of life flows from this throne, clear as crystal, offering sustenance to those who dwell in His light.
For your faith, this word invites you to consider the clarity and peace found in God’s presence. It reminds us that divine reality is not murky or hidden but open, pure, and life-giving. You can trust that the source of all life is as clear and reliable as crystal itself.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- crystal,1×
- as crystal,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κρύσταλλον,1×
- κρυστάλλῳ,1×
Key Verses
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Revelation of John 4:6
Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the middle of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.
This verse establishes the throne room setting, using crystal to depict a sea of glass that signifies the absolute purity and holiness surrounding God.
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Revelation of John 22:1
He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,
Here the term describes the river of life flowing from the throne, highlighting its clarity and pure connection to God's sustaining grace.