χρυσόω (chrusoō)
chrusoō
to gild
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb chrusoō means to cover or adorn something with gold. It describes the act of gilding, where a base material is overlaid with precious metal to create an appearance of wealth and beauty. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both in the book of Revelation, where it paints vivid pictures of opulence.
Its usage highlights a striking contrast between outward splendor and inner reality. The sources note its application to the "great prostitute" seated on many waters in Revelation 17:4, who is described as dressed in purple and scarlet and adorned with gold. Similarly, Revelation 18:16 uses it to describe Babylon the Great, whose garments are said to be gilded. In these contexts, the gold signifies immense earthly power and luxury.
Etymologically, chrusoō derives from chrysos, the Greek word for gold itself. While the verb focuses on the action of covering with gold, the noun identifies the material’s value. The biblical authors use this imagery not to celebrate wealth, but to depict a system that appears glorious on the surface while standing in opposition to God. The gilding serves as a visual marker of corruption disguised as magnificence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chrusoō describes the act of gilding, where a base material is covered with gold to create an appearance of wealth. In Revelation, this imagery highlights a stark contrast between outward splendor and inner reality. The text uses this visual marker to depict systems that appear glorious on the surface while standing in opposition to God.
When you encounter such descriptions, it invites reflection on where true value lies. Earthly luxury often masks deeper spiritual issues, reminding us that lasting worth comes from faithfulness rather than material display. This perspective helps ground your heart in what endures beyond temporary appearances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- adorned2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κεχρυσωμένη2×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 17:4
The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of the sexual immorality of the earth.
This verse uses the term to describe the woman's attire, emphasizing how gold adorns her to signify immense earthly power and luxury.
-
Revelation of John 18:16
saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was dressed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls!
Here the word appears in a lament, showing that the gilded garments of Babylon represent a system whose opulence stands in opposition to God.