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δράκων

drákōn

G1404 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Large mythical or monstrous serpent; typically a great, powerful snake or serpent, often associated with supernatural or terrifying qualities. In some contexts, represents a symbolic or personified adversarial power, such as chaos or evil. The basic sense centers on an exceptionally large or formidable serpent, but it may also extend to mythological creatures called 'dragons' in later tradition or translation.

Semantic Range

large serpent, monstrous snake, mythic or supernatural serpent, chaos-creature, adversarial or diabolical force (in symbolic contexts), dragon (in later or figurative usage)

Root / Etymology

From the verb δέρκομαι (to see clearly, to have a piercing glance); originally describing an entity 'with a deadly glance,' signifying watchfulness or terrifying ocular power.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, δράκων denoted any large serpent or snake, often those of unusual size or regarded as extraordinary, sometimes imbued with supernatural qualities in myth (e.g. serpents guarding sacred places or treasures). In Hellenistic and later periods, and especially in the Septuagint, δράκων translates various Hebrew terms for serpents or symbolic monsters (e.g., תנין tannîn, 'sea monster, serpent'), often with mythological associations of chaos or evil. In the New Testament (e.g., Revelation), δράκων functions as a symbol of cosmic evil or an adversarial force, linked to the imagery of Leviathan or Satan, sometimes rendered 'dragon' in English translations. However, the primary Greek sense centers on a gigantic, potent serpent, not necessarily the winged, fire-breathing creature of later European lore. English translations with 'dragon' often import more medieval or fantastical conceptions than intended in Greek sources. The term rarely refers to a literal animal in Hellenistic-Jewish and Christian literature, usually bearing substantial symbolic overtones.

Translation Consistency

primary "dragon" 12 occurrences

δράκων in Greek typically denotes a large, monstrous or mythic serpent and in English translation most naturally maps to “dragon.” “Dragon” preserves the supernatural/terrifying and adversarial senses common in the textual contexts (especially apocalyptic), is the standard traditional rendering, and will read naturally and consistently across all forms.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"monstrous serpent" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from an alternate form of (to look); a fabulous kind of serpent (perhaps as supposed to fascinate):--dragon.

Root Family

δράκων (drákōn) — large serpent, monstrous snake, watchful or glaring serpent, mythic chaos-creature

Root δρακ- to see, to glare, to watch

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1404-01 δράκων drakon N NOM M SG dragon the monstrous serpent the monstrous dragon 9
G1404-04 δράκοντος drakontos N GEN M SG dragon of a monstrous serpent dragon 2
G1404-03 δράκοντι drakonti N DAT M SG dragon to a monstrous serpent dragon 1
G1404-02 δράκοντα drakonta N ACC M SG dragon monstrous serpent monstrous serpent 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1404-01 Revelation 12:3 δράκων drakon N NOM M SG dragon the monstrous serpent the monstrous dragon
G1404-01 Revelation 12:4 δράκων drakon N NOM M SG dragon the monstrous serpent the monstrous dragon
G1404-04 Revelation 12:7 δράκοντος drakontos N GEN M SG dragon of a monstrous serpent of a dragon
G1404-01 Revelation 12:7 δράκων drakon N NOM M SG dragon the monstrous serpent the monstrous dragon
G1404-01 Revelation 12:9 δράκων drakon N NOM M SG dragon the monstrous serpent the monstrous dragon
G1404-01 Revelation 12:13 δράκων drakon N NOM M SG dragon the monstrous serpent the monstrous dragon
G1404-01 Revelation 12:16 δράκων drakon N NOM M SG dragon the monstrous serpent the monstrous dragon
G1404-01 Revelation 12:17 δράκων drakon N NOM M SG dragon the monstrous serpent the monstrous dragon
G1404-01 Revelation 13:2 δράκων drakon N NOM M SG dragon the monstrous serpent the monstrous dragon
G1404-03 Revelation 13:4 δράκοντι drakonti N DAT M SG dragon to a monstrous serpent dragon
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