χάλκεος (chalkeos)
chalkeos
bronze
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective chalkeos describes something made of bronze or brass, a durable alloy valued in the ancient world for its strength and resistance to corrosion. In the New Testament, this term appears only once, in Revelation 9:20, where it characterizes idols that people refuse to abandon despite their destructive power.
The word derives from chalkos, the general Greek term for copper or bronze. While often translated as "brass" in older English versions due to linguistic conventions of the time, the material itself refers to the same hard metal used for tools, weapons, and cultic objects. Its single biblical occurrence highlights the stubbornness of idolatry; even when confronted with divine judgment, people cling to these bronze statues rather than repenting.
Translators typically render chalkeos as "bronze" or "brass," reflecting the material’s physical properties without adding theological nuance beyond its literal sense. The rarity of the word in Scripture underscores how specific John’s imagery is in Revelation, using tangible, heavy materials to symbolize the enduring weight of false worship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chalkeos describes bronze, a heavy and durable metal used in ancient times for tools and statues. In Revelation 9:20, it highlights the stubborn nature of idolatry. People cling to these solid, unfeeling objects even when judgment strikes. This image reminds us that false worship feels permanent but offers no true help.
Your faith does not rest on cold, unchanging idols. Instead, it rests on a living God who hears and responds. When you face trials, remember that nothing made by human hands can save you. Only Christ offers real hope and lasting peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- bronze1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χαλκᾶ1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 9:20
The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn’t repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn’t worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood, which can’t see, hear, or walk.
This verse uses chalkeos to describe idols that people refuse to abandon despite divine judgment, highlighting the stubbornness of idolatry.