πλήσσω (plēssō)
plēssō
to strike
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb plēssō means to strike or smite with force. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Revelation 8:12, where it describes the darkening of the sun, moon, and stars. In this context, the word conveys a physical blow that alters the state of the celestial bodies, rendering them dim.
Lexical sources suggest it is likely a variant form related to plēroō (to fill or complete), carrying the sense of striking something until it is flattened or filled with darkness. This etymological link adds weight to the imagery in Revelation, where the strike does not destroy the heavens but changes their appearance, covering them as if filled with shadow.
Because the word is rare, translators must rely on context. Here, "smote" or "struck" captures the sudden, impactful nature of the judgment described. The usage highlights a divine action that is both decisive and visible, marking a significant shift in the cosmic order during the trumpet judgments.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word plēssō describes a forceful strike that changes the state of what it hits. In Revelation 8:12, this action darkens the sun, moon, and stars. It is not a destruction but a covering, like filling a vessel with shadow. This imagery reminds us that God holds power over the very heavens.
When the natural order shifts, it can feel unsettling. Yet this strike marks a moment of divine attention rather than random chaos. The darkness serves as a sign, calling people to recognize God’s sovereignty. It shows that even the cosmos responds to His voice.
You can find comfort in knowing that no force operates outside His control. Whether the world feels stable or shaken, He remains the one who speaks. This rare word points to a God who acts decisively, inviting us to trust His purposes even when we do not fully understand them.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- was struck1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπλήγη1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 8:12
The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck, and one third of the moon, and one third of the stars, so that one third of them would be darkened; and the day wouldn’t shine for one third of it, and the night in the same way.
This is the only New Testament occurrence, where plēssō describes the celestial bodies being struck to cause darkness during the trumpet judgments.