ὅμιλος (homilos)
homilos
crowd
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun homilos refers to a gathered multitude, specifically a crowd or throng of people. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Revelation 18:17, where merchants and sailors stand at a distance from the burning city. The word captures the physical presence of a large group, emphasizing their collective identity as onlookers rather than participants in the disaster.
Its etymology links to the idea of gathering or mixing, suggesting a mass formed by individuals coming together. While other Greek words like ochlos can refer to a mob or an indefinite multitude without social structure, homilos often implies a more defined assembly, though it still lacks the specific organization of a political body. In this single instance, it highlights the sheer scale of those affected by the fall of Babylon.
Translators typically render this word as "crowd" or "multitude." The choice here underscores the dramatic contrast between the intimate personal loss and the vast, impersonal number of witnesses. The term serves to quantify the human impact of the judgment described in the vision, presenting a scene of widespread observation rather than individual interaction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word homilos describes a gathered multitude, capturing the sheer scale of people affected by significant events. In Revelation 18:17, it refers to the vast crowd of merchants and sailors who stood far away from the burning city of Babylon. This image highlights not just the number of witnesses, but their collective identity as observers separated from the immediate disaster.
For your faith, this reminds us that God’s actions often have broad, historical consequences that extend beyond individual experience. While we may feel small within such a large crowd, our personal relationship with Christ remains intimate and secure. The text invites reflection on how we respond to global events—whether with detached observation or compassionate engagement.
Ultimately, this word underscores the reality of divine justice and its widespread impact. It encourages us to trust in God’s sovereignty even when the world around us seems chaotic. By focusing on our connection to Him, we find peace amidst the noise of the multitude.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- multitudes1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὅμιλος1×
Key Verses
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Revelation of John 18:17
For in an hour such great riches are made desolate.’ Every ship master, and everyone who sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain their living by sea, stood far away,
This verse uses homilos to quantify the vast number of merchants and sailors who witnessed Babylon's fall from a distance, emphasizing the scale of judgment.