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ὅπλον

hóplon

G3696 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Implement or tool, especially one used as a weapon; instrument or means used to achieve a purpose, most commonly referring to an article or implement for war (such as a shield, sword, or armor piece), but in extended usage, also figuratively as a means or instrument (for good or evil). In the New Testament, regularly used figuratively for means of moral, spiritual, or ethical struggle (e.g., 'instruments of righteousness').

Semantic Range

implement, tool, weapon, piece of armor, means, instrument (literal or figurative), resource

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root ὁπλ-, related to work or tools; the exact etymology is uncertain but traditionally associated with implements, especially those related to warfare. Not directly attested as a verbal root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὅπλον originally referred to any tool, implement, or piece of equipment, but quickly became specialized in military contexts to mean a piece of armor, weapon, or sometimes specifically a shield. In philosophical and rhetorical texts, it could also refer to means, instruments, or resources used in argument or persuasion. In Hellenistic Greek and the Septuagint, this specialization towards military meaning continued, especially in relation to Israelite or foreign armies. In the New Testament, its meaning is often figurative, depicting moral or spiritual instruments (e.g., Romans 6:13, where 'ὅπλα τῆς δικαιοσύνης' means 'instruments of righteousness'). English Bibles usually translate with 'weapon' or 'armor', but this can obscure the more general sense of 'means' or 'instrument.' The word is related but not identical to ὅπλον's plural ὅπλα ('arms, armor'), and to the term ὁπλίτης (hoplite, heavily-armed infantryman).

Translation Consistency

primary "instrument" 3 occurrences

'Instrument' is a neutral, natural English word that covers the full semantic range of ὅπλον — a tool or implement used in war (weapon or armor piece) and, importantly, the frequent figurative use as a means or instrument for moral/spiritual ends (e.g., “instruments of righteousness”). It avoids the overly narrow senses of 'weapon' or 'armor' while remaining idiomatic for both literal and figurative contexts.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"weapons" (2x) "armor" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from a primary (to be busy about); an implement or utensil or tool (literally or figuratively, especially, offensive for war):--armour, instrument, weapon.

Root Family

ὅπλον (hoplon) — implement, tool, weapon, instrument

Root ὁπλ- implement, tool, weapon, instrument

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3696-01 ὅπλα opla N ACC N PL instruments implements instruments 4
G3696-02 ὅπλων oplon N GEN N PL weapons of implements weapons 2

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3696-02 John 18:3 ὅπλων oplon N GEN N PL weapons of implements weapons
G3696-01 Romans 6:13 ὅπλα opla N ACC N PL instruments implements instruments
G3696-01 Romans 6:13 ὅπλα opla-2 N ACC N PL instruments implements instruments
G3696-01 Romans 13:12 ὅπλα opla N ACC N PL armor implements armor
G3696-02 2 Corinthians 6:7 ὅπλων oplon N GEN N PL weapons of implements weapons
G3696-01 2 Corinthians 10:4 ὅπλα opla N NOM N PL weapons implements instruments
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