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θεῖον

theîon

G2303 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Sulfur; a naturally occurring yellow mineral substance known for its strong smell and combustibility. In ancient contexts, θεῖον refers primarily to sulfur in its mineral or elemental form, especially as a substance that burns with a blue flame and was often associated with purification by fire or destruction. Secondarily, it can denote 'brimstone,' used idiomatically for fire with sulfurous fumes (as in accounts of destruction or divine judgment). In non-literal or metaphorical contexts, it can connote the idea of purifying or consuming fire.

Semantic Range

sulfur, brimstone, burning sulfur, agent of purification, symbol of divine fire or destructive fire

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root θεῖος ('divine'), but in this usage (θεῖον), the connection is to an older, possibly pre-Greek word for sulfur, due to sulfur’s use in religious or purification rituals. The etymology is not fully certain, but the association with θεῖος probably comes from the ancient conception of sulfur as having divine or supernatural properties.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, θεῖον consistently denotes sulfur, both in naturalistic descriptions (mineralogy, pharmacy) and in ritual (as an agent of purification through burning). In the Septuagint, θεῖον translates Hebrew גָּפְרִית (gophrith), especially in contexts of destruction by divine means (e.g., Genesis 19; Deuteronomy 29), establishing the strong association between sulfur/brimstone and acts of divine judgment. In the New Testament (e.g., Revelation 9:17–18; 14:10; 19:20; 20:10; 21:8), θεῖον refers to the fiery sulfur associated with eschatological punishment or the 'lake of fire and brimstone.' The frequent English rendering 'brimstone' reflects older translation traditions, but the core referent is always sulfur, whether as a material substance or in imagery of fire and destruction. The semantic connection to θεῖος ('divine') is noteworthy historically, as sulfur was seen as divinely powerful due to its dramatic properties, but by the Koine period, θεῖον's meaning is purely material or idiomatic, not inherently ‘divine.’

Translation Consistency

primary "sulfur" 7 occurrences

θεῖον primarily denotes the mineral sulfur (elemental brimstone). "Sulfur" is the clear, modern, and natural English noun that matches the typical literal sense and can cover the idiomatic/brimstone usages; it fits the majority of occurrences and will read naturally in translation.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably neuter of θεῖος (in its original sense of flashing); sulphur:--brimstone.

Root Family

θεῖ- (theîon) — sulfur, burning mineral

Root θεῖ- sulfur, burning mineral

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2303-01 θείῳ theio N DAT N SG brimstone to sulfur sulfur 3
G2303-02 θεῖον theion N ACC N SG brimstone sulfur sulfur 2
G2303-03 θείου theiou N GEN N SG brimstone of sulfur of sulfur 2

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2303-02 Luke 17:29 θεῖον theion N ACC N SG brimstone sulfur sulfur
G2303-02 Revelation 9:17 θεῖον theion N NOM N SG sulfur sulfur sulfur
G2303-03 Revelation 9:18 θείου theiou N GEN N SG brimstone of sulfur of sulfur
G2303-01 Revelation 14:10 θείῳ theio N DAT N SG sulfur/brimstone to sulfur sulfur
G2303-01 Revelation 19:20 θείῳ theio N DAT N SG brimstone to sulfur to sulfur
G2303-03 Revelation 20:10 θείου theiou N GEN N SG brimstone of sulfur of sulfur
G2303-01 Revelation 21:8 θείῳ theio N DAT N SG brimstone to sulfur with sulfur
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