ὕαλος (hualos)
hualos
glass
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun hualos refers to a clear, transparent material, specifically glass or crystal. In the ancient world, this term described both naturally occurring transparent stones and manufactured glass, highlighting the quality of clarity rather than just the substance itself.
This word appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in Revelation 21. John uses it to describe the materials of the New Jerusalem: the city walls are made of jasper, while the twelve gates are each formed from a single piece of hualos (Revelation 21:18, 21).
The imagery emphasizes purity and divine glory. By depicting gates as solid crystal, the text suggests an entrance that is both impenetrable and brilliantly clear, reflecting the holy nature of the city. This usage connects the physical properties of glass—transparency and strength—to the spiritual reality of God’s dwelling place.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hualos appears only twice in Scripture, both within John’s vision of the New Jerusalem. In these passages, it describes the material of the city’s walls and streets as pure gold that looks like transparent glass. This imagery does not suggest fragility but rather a radiant clarity that allows the light of God to shine through without obstruction.
For your faith, this offers a picture of a community where there is no hidden darkness or deception. The transparency of hualos signifies that God’s presence is fully visible and accessible. It invites us to live with open hearts, free from the shadows that often complicate our relationships with others.
This vision reminds us that the ultimate goal of Christian life is to reflect divine glory clearly. As you navigate daily challenges, consider how this clarity might shape your interactions. The promise of a place where truth and light are perfectly united provides a steady hope for the future.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- glass1×
- as glass1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὕαλος1×
- ὑάλῳ1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 21:18
The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass.
This verse establishes the foundational imagery by comparing the purity of the city's gold to transparent glass, setting the tone for divine clarity.
-
Revelation of John 21:21
The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Here the street is described as transparent glass, emphasizing that the path through God’s city is open and unobstructed by any hidden things.