νέφος (nephos)
nephos
cloud
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek noun nephos simply means "cloud." It refers to a large, dense mass of vapor that obscures the sky. Unlike words for specific storm clouds or rain-bearing formations, this term describes a general, shapeless collection of moisture in the atmosphere. The sources note it is the standard word used in the Septuagint to translate Hebrew terms for cloud.
While its primary meaning is meteorological, the word carries a metaphorical weight when applied to people. In Hebrews 12:1, nephos describes the "great cloud of witnesses" surrounding believers. Here, it does not mean a literal weather event but rather a dense throng or multitude. The image suggests a vast, visible crowd that fills the background of the spiritual race, much like clouds fill the horizon.
This usage highlights how the word bridges the physical and the communal. Just as a cloud is made of many small droplets forming one large mass, the "cloud" in Hebrews represents many individuals gathered together. Translators often render this phrase as a "great cloud," preserving the sense of abundance and collective presence found in the original text.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nephos simply means cloud, yet in Hebrews 12:1 it carries a rich metaphorical weight. The author uses this term to describe a great cloud of witnesses surrounding believers. This image does not refer to a literal weather event but rather to a dense throng or multitude of faithful people from history.
Just as many small water droplets combine to form one large mass, these individuals gather together in a visible crowd. They fill the background of your spiritual race, offering encouragement and support. This connection between the physical and communal reminds you that you are never running alone.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a cloud1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- νέφος1×
Key Verses
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Hebrews 12:1
Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
This verse uses nephos metaphorically to depict a vast, visible crowd of faithful people surrounding believers as they run their spiritual race.