2463. iris
Strong's Lexicon
iris: Rainbow

Original Word: ἶρις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: iris
Pronunciation: EE-ris
Phonetic Spelling: (ee'-ris)
Definition: Rainbow
Meaning: a rainbow or halo.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word for "rainbow" or "halo."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent is קֶשֶׁת (qeshet), Strong's Hebrew #7198, which is used in Genesis 9:13-16 to describe the rainbow as a sign of God's covenant with Noah.

Usage: In the New Testament, the term "iris" is used to describe the rainbow, a symbol of God's promise and covenant. It is a visual representation of God's faithfulness and mercy, often associated with His glory and majesty.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, Iris was the personification of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods. However, in the biblical context, the rainbow holds a significant theological meaning. It first appears in the Old Testament as a sign of God's covenant with Noah, symbolizing His promise never to destroy the earth with a flood again (Genesis 9:13-17). This imagery carries into the New Testament, where the rainbow is associated with divine presence and revelation.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
a rainbow
NASB Translation
rainbow (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2463: ἶρις

ἶρις, ἰριδος, (Iris), a rainbow: Revelation 4:3; Revelation 10:1. (Homer, Aristotle, Theophrastus, others).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
rainbow.

Perhaps from ereo (as a symbol of the female messenger of the pagan deities); a rainbow ("iris") -- rainbow.

see GREEK ereo

Forms and Transliterations
ίρεως ιρις ίρις ἶρις iris îris
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Revelation 4:3 N-NFS
GRK: σαρδίῳ καὶ ἶρις κυκλόθεν τοῦ
NAS: in appearance; and [there was] a rainbow around
KJV: and [there was] a rainbow round about
INT: a sardius and a rainbow [was] around the

Revelation 10:1 N-NFS
GRK: καὶ ἡ ἶρις ἐπὶ τῆς
NAS: with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head,
KJV: and a rainbow [was] upon
INT: and a rainbow on the

Strong's Greek 2463
2 Occurrences


ἶρις — 2 Occ.















2462
Top of Page
Top of Page