Πάτμος (Patmos)
Patmos
Patmos
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
Patmos is a proper noun referring to a small, rugged island in the Aegean Sea, located southwest of Ephesus. The name itself carries a stark meaning, translated as "my killing," which likely reflects the barren and harsh nature of the terrain. In the New Testament, it appears only once, serving as the specific setting for John’s visionary experience recorded in Revelation 1:9.
Historical tradition identifies this isolated location as the place of John’s exile, a penal colony where political prisoners were sent to labor in the mines. The sources note that this remote, rocky environment provided the physical isolation necessary for the apocalyptic visions that follow. The word functions simply as a geographical marker, grounding the cosmic events of the book in a tangible, human reality.
Translators consistently render Πατμος as Patmos without variation, preserving the specific identity of the island rather than translating its etymological sense. This single occurrence anchors the narrative in history, reminding readers that divine revelation often intersects with human suffering and confinement. The name’s grim connotation contrasts sharply with the hope described in the subsequent chapters.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Patmos was a lonely, rocky island where John found himself exiled for his faith. The name itself suggests hardship, yet this place of isolation became the setting for profound divine revelation. God often meets us in our most difficult seasons, turning places of confinement into spaces where His voice is heard most clearly.
When we feel cut off from others or burdened by trials, John’s experience reminds us that we are not alone. Even in the depths of suffering, the Lord can bring clarity and hope. This word anchors the vision of Revelation in real human history, showing that God’s promises apply to our actual lives, not just abstract ideas.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Patmos1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Πάτμῳ1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 1:9
I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
This verse identifies Patmos as the specific location where John received his vision, grounding the apocalyptic imagery in a real place of exile.