Original Word: περικεφαλαία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: perikephalaia
Pronunciation: pe-ree-ke-fa-LAH-yah
Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee-kef-al-ah'-yah)
Definition: a helmet.
Meaning: A helmet; a piece of armor designed to protect the head.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek words περί (peri, meaning "around") and κεφαλή (kephalē, meaning "head").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for περικεφαλαία, the concept of a helmet or head protection can be related to Hebrew terms such as קובע (qova, Strong's Hebrew 6959), which refers to a helmet or headgear in the Old Testament context, particularly in passages describing armor and warfare.

Usage: The term περικεφαλαία is used in the New Testament to describe a metaphorical helmet, symbolizing spiritual protection and readiness in the Christian life.

Context: The Greek term περικεφαλαία appears in the New Testament in the context of spiritual warfare and the armor of God. It is used metaphorically to describe the protective gear that a believer must don to withstand spiritual challenges and adversities. The helmet, as a critical piece of armor, signifies the importance of safeguarding one's mind and thoughts with divine truth and salvation.

In Ephesians 6:17, the Apostle Paul instructs believers to "take the helmet of salvation," emphasizing the necessity of securing one's salvation as a defense against spiritual attacks. The helmet of salvation represents the assurance and hope of eternal life, which guards the believer's mind against doubt and despair.

Similarly, in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Paul encourages believers to be "sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of the hope of salvation." Here, the helmet is associated with hope, underscoring the forward-looking confidence in God's promises and the ultimate deliverance through Christ.

The imagery of the helmet in these passages draws from the Roman soldier's armor, familiar to Paul's audience, and serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual vigilance and preparedness required in the Christian journey. The helmet of salvation is not merely a defensive tool but also a symbol of the transformative power of the gospel, which renews the mind and fortifies the believer against the schemes of the enemy.

Word Origin
from peri and kephalé
Definition
a helmet
NASB Translation
helmet (2).

STRONGS NT 4030: περικεφαλαία

περικεφαλαία, περικεφαλαίας, ἡ (περί and κεφαλή), a helmet: 1 Thessalonians 5:8; τοῦ σωτηρίου (from Isaiah 59:17), i. e. dropping the figure, the protection of soul which consists in (the hope of) salvation, Ephesians 6:17. (Polybius; the Sept. for כּובַע .)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

helmet.

Feminine of a compound of peri and kephale; encirclement of the head, i.e. A helmet -- helmet.

see GREEK peri

see GREEK kephale

Forms and Transliterations

περικεκοσμημέναι περικεφαλαία περικεφαλαίαι περικεφαλαίαις περικεφαλαιαν περικεφαλαίαν περικεφαλαίας περικνήμισι perikephalaian perikephalaían

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts