φλόξ
phlóx
G5395 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A flame, a visible tongue or shaft of fire. The term denotes the luminous, active part of fire, and is used to refer to the physical phenomenon of burning or shining flame in various contexts—whether literal, as in fire or lightning, or metaphorical, as in divine manifestations or instruments of judgment.
Semantic Range
flame, blazing fire, shaft or tongue of fire, destructive fiery manifestation, supernatural or divine flame; rarely, brightness like lightning
Root / Etymology
From the root φλεγ- (phleg-), meaning 'to burn' or 'to blaze.' The suffix -οξ forms a noun indicating a result or product of burning. Related to φλέγω ('to burn, to blaze').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, φλόξ primarily referred to the bright, visible part of fire—a flame or blaze, contrasted with forms of heat or less visible combustion (e.g., πῦρ for 'fire' in general). In Hellenistic and Koine usage, including the Septuagint and the New Testament, φλόξ most often appears in contexts involving supernatural or destructive fire (e.g., angelic 'flaming swords,' divine judgment). In LXX, φλόξ occasionally translates Hebrew לֶהָבָה (lehabah, 'flame'). English Bible translations commonly render φλόξ as 'flame,' which generally matches the Greek sense, though the vivid or dreadful connotation required by some contexts (e.g., eschatological judgment) may not always be apparent. The term does not carry metaphoric senses like 'zeal' or 'emotion' found with some poetic uses of 'flame' in later literature; it remains a primarily physical or supernatural image.
Translation Consistency
φλόξ denotes the luminous, active part of a fire—a tongue or shaft of burning light used both literally and metaphorically (e.g. tongues of fire, shaft of fire, divine fiery manifestation). "Flame" is the natural, specific English noun that best captures this typical sense and will read naturally in all forms (plural, possessive, etc.).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a primary (to "flash" or "flame"); a blaze:--flame(-ing).
Root Family
φλόξ (phlox) — flame, blazing fire, burning blaze
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5395-04 |
φλὸξ | phlox | N NOM F SG |
flame | a blazing flame | a flaming flame | 2 |
G5395-02 |
φλογὶ | phlogi | N DAT F SG |
flame | in a flame | in a flame | 2 |
G5395-01 |
φλόγα | phloga | N ACC F SG |
a flame | a blazing flame | a blazing flame | 2 |
G5395-03 |
φλογός | phlogos | N GEN F SG |
flame | of a blazing flame | of blazing flame | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5395-02 |
Luke 16:24 | φλογὶ | phlogi | N DAT F SG |
flame | in a flame | in a flame |
G5395-02 |
Acts 7:30 | φλογὶ | phlogi | N DAT F SG |
flame | in a flame | in a flame |
G5395-03 |
2 Thessalonians 1:8 | φλογός | phlogos | N GEN F SG |
flame | of a blazing flame | of blazing flame |
G5395-01 |
Hebrews 1:7 | φλόγα | phloga | N ACC F SG |
a flame | a blazing flame | a blazing flame |
G5395-04 |
Revelation 1:14 | φλὸξ | phlox | N NOM F SG |
flame | a blazing flame | a flaming flame |
G5395-01 |
Revelation 2:18 | φλόγα | phloga | N ACC F SG |
a flame | a blazing flame | a blazing flame |
G5395-04 |
Revelation 19:12 | φλὸξ | phlox | N NOM F SG |
flame | a blazing flame | a flaming flame |