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βροντή

brontḗ

G1027 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A loud noise or crash, especially the sound produced by thunder; the primary meaning is the natural phenomenon of thunder, both as a physical event and, by extension, as a powerful or awe-inspiring noise. In some contexts, conveys a sense of overwhelming force or the audible signal of a divine or supernatural presence.

Semantic Range

thunder as a meteorological event, loud crashing noise, the voice of a deity likened to thunder, overwhelming or awe-inspiring sound

Root / Etymology

From the root βροντ- (bront-), imitative in origin, related to natural sounds; possibly connected with βρέμω (to roar) in ancient Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

βροντή occurs in classical literature (e.g., Homer, Hesiod) to denote thunder as the audible phenomenon accompanying storms, often linked to the activity of deities such as Zeus. In the Septuagint, βροντή commonly renders Hebrew terms like קוֹל (qol, 'voice' or 'sound') especially when referring to the 'voice' of God as thunder (e.g., Psalm 28:3, LXX 27:3). In the New Testament, βροντή appears notably in Revelation (e.g., Rev 4:5; 6:1), usually as a symbol of divine power or as part of apocalyptic imagery. The standard English translation 'thunder' accurately conveys the term in most contexts; however, βροντή can also suggest a broader range of mighty or awe-inspiring sounds than the more restricted modern English 'thunder.' The Greek term maintains a strong association with the majesty or voice of a deity, more explicitly than the English.

Translation Consistency

primary "thunder" 12 occurrences

βροντή primarily denotes the sound/phenomenon of thunder. ‘Thunder’ is the most natural, commonly used English equivalent (matching occurrences like “thunders”) and covers both the meteorological event and the metaphorical sense of an overwhelming or divine sound, so it ensures consistent, natural rendering across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

akin to (to roar); thunder:--thunder(-ing).

Root Family

βροντή (brontē) — thunder, loud crashing noise, awe-inspiring roar

Root βροντ- to thunder, to make a loud crashing sound

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1027-01 βρονταί brontai N NOM F PL thunders thunders thunders 7
G1027-03 βροντῆς brontes N GEN F SG of thunder of thunder of thunder 3
G1027-04 βροντῶν bronton N GEN F PL of thunders of thunders of thunders 1
G1027-02 βροντὴν bronten N ACC F SG thunder thunder thunder 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1027-03 Mark 3:17 βροντῆς brontes N GEN F SG thunder of thunder of thunder
G1027-02 John 12:29 βροντὴν bronten N ACC F SG thunder thunder thunder
G1027-01 Revelation 4:5 βρονταί brontai N NOM F PL thunderings thunders thunders
G1027-03 Revelation 6:1 βροντῆς brontes N GEN F SG of thunder of thunder of thunder
G1027-01 Revelation 8:5 βρονταὶ brontai N NOM F PL thunders thunders thunders
G1027-01 Revelation 10:3 βρονταὶ brontai N NOM F PL thunders thunders thunders
G1027-01 Revelation 10:4 βρονταί brontai N NOM F PL thunders thunders thunders
G1027-01 Revelation 10:4 βρονταί brontai-2 N NOM F PL thunders thunders thunders
G1027-01 Revelation 11:19 βρονταὶ brontai N NOM F PL thunders thunders thunders
G1027-03 Revelation 14:2 βροντῆς brontes N GEN F SG of thunder of thunder of thunder
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