πάρδαλις (pardalis)
pardalis
leopard
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun pardalis refers to a leopard or panther, specifically the spotted feline known for its fierce nature in ancient Asia and Africa. In Scripture, this word appears only once, in Revelation 13:2, where John describes the beast rising from the sea with characteristics of a leopard, a bear, and a lion.
Its usage draws heavily on Old Testament imagery, particularly the prophetic warnings found in Hosea 13:7 and Isaiah 11:6. While those passages often use the animal as a metaphor for sudden danger or a future time of peace, Revelation employs it to symbolize predatory power and terror. The word underscores the beast’s lethal agility and wild strength, painting a picture of an enemy that is both beautiful in its markings and deadly in its intent.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pardalis appears just once in Scripture, describing the beast in Revelation as having the form of a leopard. This image draws on ancient warnings about sudden danger, reminding us that evil often wears a mask of power and beauty while hiding deadly intent.
For your faith, this picture highlights the reality of spiritual warfare. The creature’s lethal agility shows how quickly opposition can arise, yet the text also reveals that its authority is borrowed from the dragon, not inherent. This distinction offers hope: the threat is real, but it is limited and temporary.
When you face fear or uncertainty, remember that the beast’s strength is derivative. The one who holds true power remains sovereign over all created forces. You can rest in the knowledge that no wild strength can ultimately overcome the grace given to those who trust in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- as a leopard1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παρδάλει1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 13:2
The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
This verse combines the leopard’s agility with the bear’s strength and lion’s voice, showing how the beast synthesizes multiple forms of predatory power to intimidate.