μύλινος (mulinos)
mulinos
mill
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective mulinos describes something made of millstone. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Revelation 18:21. Here, a mighty angel picks up a large millstone and throws it into the sea to symbolize the sudden and complete destruction of Babylon. The word highlights the heavy, solid nature of the stone used for grinding grain.
This single usage carries significant weight. By choosing a millstone rather than a smaller rock, the text emphasizes the totality of the judgment. The image is not just about removal but about being overwhelmed by something immense and immovable. The verb associated with this action suggests a forceful casting that leaves no room for return.
The term connects directly to the daily life of the ancient world, where millstones were essential tools. Its rarity in Scripture makes this occurrence stand out as a deliberate choice. It serves as a vivid metaphor for irreversible change, using a familiar object to convey a profound theological point about divine justice and finality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mulinos appears only once in the New Testament, grounding a powerful image of finality in Revelation 18:21. A mighty angel lifts a heavy millstone and throws it into the sea, symbolizing the complete and sudden destruction of Babylon. This choice of object matters because millstones were essential, immovable tools in daily life, representing stability and sustenance. By using one for judgment, the text emphasizes that this event is not a minor setback but an irreversible shift.
For believers, this imagery reminds us that God’s justice is both real and decisive. While the scene describes the fall of worldly systems opposed to God, it also points to the certainty of His ultimate victory. We can find comfort in knowing that evil will not endure forever. The same power that brings down pride is at work to establish peace.
This single usage invites reflection on the weight of divine action. It is not a vague threat but a concrete picture of how God handles rebellion. As we navigate our own lives, we can trust in His fairness and hope in the promise that wrongs will be made right.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a millstone1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μύλινον1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 18:21
A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down, and will be found no more at all.
This verse uses mulinos to describe the millstone thrown by the angel, emphasizing the totality and suddenness of Babylon's judgment through a heavy, immovable object.