ὑακίνθινος (huakinthinos)
huakinthinos
dark blue
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective hyakinthinos describes a deep, rich hue that blends dark blue with purple, often resembling the color of the hyacinth flower. In ancient contexts, this shade was associated with royalty and sacred spaces, evoking the visual intensity of twilight or deep ocean waters. The term appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in Revelation 9:17.
In that vivid apocalyptic vision, John sees horses with breastplates described as hyakinthinos. This specific color choice likely conveys a sense of awe-inspiring dread or divine judgment, contrasting sharply with typical battlefield imagery. The word connects to the Greek noun for hyacinth, linking the visual description to a natural object known for its striking, dark tones.
Translators typically render this term as "dark blue" or "scarlet," though neither fully captures the complex blend of colors implied by the original Greek. The single occurrence in Revelation highlights how color symbolism functions in apocalyptic literature to evoke emotional and spiritual responses rather than precise chromatic accuracy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hyakinthinos appears only once in the New Testament, found in Revelation 9:17. It describes a deep, rich color blending dark blue and purple, resembling the hyacinth flower. In ancient times, this hue signified royalty and sacredness. John uses it to describe the breastplates of horses in an apocalyptic vision, creating a striking image that mixes royal dignity with terrifying power.
For your faith life, this rare word reminds us that God’s authority is both majestic and awe-inspiring. The combination of colors suggests a divine presence that commands respect and reverence. It invites us to consider the seriousness of spiritual realities and the weight of God's judgments. This vivid imagery encourages a humble heart before the Creator.
While we may not see such visions daily, the call to reverence remains constant. We are invited to approach God with wonder, recognizing His sovereignty over all things. This single word paints a picture of divine majesty that transcends ordinary experience, pointing to a reality far greater than our own.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- hyacinthine1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑακινθίνους1×