πέτομαι (petomai)

petomai

to fly

G4072 · Greek · New Testament · 5 verses

Language: Koine Greek
Testament: New Testament
Occurrences: 5 verses
Root: —

Word Overview

The Greek verb petomai means to fly, describing the swift, airborne movement of birds or angels. It appears five times in the New Testament, primarily within the Book of Revelation, where it paints vivid pictures of celestial beings and prophetic signs. The word captures the physical act of soaring through the air, often with a sense of speed or divine agency.

In its biblical context, petomai is used to describe the wings of living creatures surrounding God’s throne (Revelation 4:7) and the flight of an angel proclaiming the eternal gospel (Revelation 14:6). It also appears in visions of judgment, such as when a flying angel announces doom (Revelation 8:13). The term conveys not just motion, but purposeful movement within a supernatural framework.

This word is distinct from other Greek terms for flying because it emphasizes the action itself rather than the manner or reason. It is a straightforward verb, yet its usage in Revelation adds theological weight, linking physical flight with divine revelation and judgment. Translators typically render it as "fly" or "flying," preserving the simplicity and immediacy of the original Greek.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word petomai describes the swift, airborne movement of birds or angels, capturing a sense of speed and divine agency. In Revelation, it paints vivid pictures of celestial beings and prophetic signs. This physical act of soaring through the air is often linked to purposeful movement within a supernatural framework.

For your faith, this reminds us that God's messengers move with intentionality. Whether announcing judgment or proclaiming the eternal gospel, their flight is not random but directed by divine will. It invites us to trust in the timely and purposeful nature of God's work in our lives.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.

flying2×
she may fly1×
flying.1×
are flying1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

πέτηται1×
πετόμενον1×
πετομένῳ.1×
πετομένου1×
πετομένοις1×

Key Verses

Revelation of John 14:6
I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.

This verse highlights an angel flying in mid heaven with an eternal Good News, emphasizing the urgency and global scope of the gospel message.
Revelation of John 8:13
I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the other blasts of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!”

Here, a flying eagle announces woe, showing how petomai is used in visions of judgment to convey a sense of impending doom from above.
Revelation of John 4:7
The first creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.

The fourth living creature is described as like a flying eagle, linking the word to the majestic and powerful beings surrounding God's throne.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does petomai mean in the Bible?

Petomai is a Greek verb meaning to fly. It describes the swift, airborne movement of birds or angels, often with a sense of speed or divine agency. In the New Testament, it appears primarily in Revelation to depict celestial beings and prophetic signs.

Where does petomai appear in the New Testament?

It occurs five times in the Book of Revelation. Key verses include Revelation 4:7, where a living creature is like a flying eagle, and Revelation 14:6, where an angel flies to proclaim the eternal gospel.

How is petomai different from other Greek words for flying?

While there are other terms for flying, petomai emphasizes the action itself rather than the manner or reason. It is a straightforward verb that conveys physical flight, often in a supernatural context within Revelation.

Every Occurrence (5 verses across 1 books)

Revelation of John 5 verses

Revelation of John 4:7

The first creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like a man, and the…

Revelation of John 8:13

I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the…

Revelation of John 12:14

Two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, so that she…

Revelation of John 14:6

I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every…

Revelation of John 19:17

I saw an angel standing in the sun. He cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the sky, “Come! Be…