5510. chión
Lexical Summary
chión: Snow

Original Word: χιών
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: chión
Pronunciation: khee-ohn'
Phonetic Spelling: (khee-one')
KJV: snow
NASB: snow
Word Origin: [perhaps akin to the base of G5490 (χάσμα - chasm) (G5465 (χαλάω - let down)) or G5494 (χειμών - winter) (as descending or empty)]

1. snow

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
snow.

Perhaps akin to the base of chasma (chalao) or cheimon (as descending or empty); snow -- snow.

see GREEK chasma

see GREEK chalao

see GREEK cheimon

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the root chi-
Definition
snow
NASB Translation
snow (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5510: χιών

χιών, χιόνος, , from Homer down, the Sept. for שֶׁלֶג, snow: Matthew 28:3; Mark 9:3 (where it is omitted by G T Tr WH); Revelation 1:14.

Topical Lexicon
Concept of Snow

Snow serves in Scripture as a striking emblem of purity, cleansing, and divine majesty. While rare in much of the biblical world, its brilliant whiteness made it an ideal metaphor for holiness and forgiveness. In the Greek New Testament the imagery appears only twice, but in two of the most exalted Christological scenes, underscoring its theological weight.

Occurrences in the New Testament

Matthew 28:3 – “His appearance was like lightning, and His clothes were white as snow.”

Revelation 1:14 – “The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire.”

Both texts compare incomparable glory to the purest white that terrestrial experience can supply, emphasizing Christ’s perfection and authority.

Resurrection Glory (Matthew 28:3)

• Revelation of holiness: At the empty tomb an angel’s robe “white as snow” declares that death’s defilement is conquered.
• Assurance of victory: The blazing whiteness visually confirms that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted and His resurrection accomplished.
• Inducement of awe: The guards’ terror shows how unmediated holiness overwhelms the unprepared heart (Matthew 28:4).

Exalted Majesty (Revelation 1:14)

• Eternal wisdom: White hair recalls the “Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:9), aligning Jesus with the God of judgment.
• Perfect righteousness: The snowy whiteness contrasts the moral compromises of the seven churches, pressing them toward repentance.
• Judicial authority: Coupled with eyes of fire, the image proclaims a Lord who examines and rewards according to unerring purity.

Old Testament Foundations

Hebrew writers used snow to picture cleansing (Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18), beauty (Proverbs 31:21), and the fearful power of the Creator (Job 37:6). The Septuagint’s use of the same Greek term in passages such as Psalm 147:16 supplies a familiar conceptual backdrop for New Testament readers.

Christological Significance

1. Incarnate purity – From birth to ascension Jesus remains unstained; the “white as snow” simile visualizes His sinlessness.
2. High-priestly cleansing – His atoning work makes believers “whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7), fulfilling the prophetic promise of Isaiah 1:18.
3. Royal splendor – Revelation’s portrait situates Christ on the throne of judgment, robed in inexhaustible light.

Eschatological Dimension

Snow symbolism anticipates believers’ final state, “clothed in white robes” (Revelation 7:14), enjoying a creation where impurity is forever banished.

Ministry Applications

• Preaching: Snow offers a vivid illustration of complete forgiveness for texts on repentance and justification.
• Pastoral care: Those burdened by guilt find assurance in the One whose garments testify to triumphant holiness.
• Worship: Hymns and liturgy that celebrate whiteness resonate with the biblical portrayal of redeemed purity.

Key Cross-References

Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 51:7; Daniel 7:9; Mark 9:3; Revelation 7:14; Revelation 20:11.

Summary

Though occurring only twice in the Greek New Testament, the term translated “snow” communicates truths at the heart of the gospel: Christ’s unblemished purity, His authoritative judgment, and the promise of believers’ full cleansing. Snow’s radiant whiteness affirms that the risen, reigning Lord is altogether holy and able to make His people holy as well.

Forms and Transliterations
χιόνα χίονα χιόνι χιόνος χιων χιών χλαίνας chion chiōn chiṓn
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 28:3 N-NFS
GRK: λευκὸν ὡς χιών
NAS: and his clothing as white as snow.
KJV: white as snow:
INT: white as snow

Revelation 1:14 N-NFS
GRK: λευκόν ὡς χιών καὶ οἱ
NAS: like snow; and His eyes
KJV: as white as snow; and his
INT: white as snow and the

Strong's Greek 5510
2 Occurrences


χιών — 2 Occ.

5509
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