θειώδης
theiṓdēs
G2306 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Composed of, resembling, or characterized by sulphur (brimstone); of or pertaining to sulphur in its qualities or essence. Extends to applications describing the smell, appearance, or chemical properties associated with sulphur, often in the context of forceful or destructive natural phenomena, such as volcanic activity, or in metaphorical extension to divine or catastrophic events.
Semantic Range
sulphurous, brimstone-like, having the qualities of brimstone, characterized by sulphur, pertaining to or composed of sulphur
Root / Etymology
From the noun θεῖον (theion, 'sulphur, brimstone') + the adjectival suffix -ώδης (ōdēs, 'resembling, having the nature of').
Historical & Contextual Notes
θειώδης is a rare descriptive adjective, found primarily in technical or poetic literature. In classical and Hellenistic Greek, its usage is very limited, typically appearing in physico-medical or alchemical writings to describe materials with the properties of sulphur, such as color, odor, or combustibility. In LXX- and NT-period Greek, the term might appear in descriptions of catastrophic or divine judgment (e.g., the raining of fire and brimstone), but is more likely to be a literary or explanatory gloss for θεῖον, reinforcing its destructive qualities. Standard English translations use the term 'sulphurous' or 'brimstone-like,' but 'brimstone' alone can overlook the adjectival nuance (resembling/characterized by sulphur). The association of sulphur/brimstone with divine judgment develops in Jewish apocalyptic literature, influencing later interpretations but is not inherent to the word.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from θεῖον and 1491; sulphur-like, i.e. sulphurous:--brimstone.
Root Family
θειώδης (theiōdēs) — sulphur, brimstone, resembling, characterized by
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2306-01 |
θειώδεις | theiodeis | ADJ.A ACC M PL |
sulfurous | sulphurous | sulphurous | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2306-01 |
Revelation 9:17 | θειώδεις | theiodeis | ADJ.A ACC M PL |
sulfurous | sulphurous | sulphurous |