χλωρός
chlōrós
G5515 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Having the color of new vegetation: green, greenish-yellow; by extension, pale, pallid—especially describing the color of plants, grass, or, in figurative use, a deathly or sickly paleness (as of skin). In situational contexts, it may refer specifically to the livid or ashen hue associated with illness or death.
Semantic Range
green (of grass or plants), fresh (new growth), pale (of human/animal skin), ashen or livid (deathly pallor), greenish-yellow
Root / Etymology
From the root χλωρ-, possibly related to Χλόη ('Chloe,' meaning 'green shoot' or 'young grass'). Cognate with other Greek terms describing freshness or vividness of plant life, though the ultimate Indo-European origin is unclear.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, χλωρός primarily described the vibrant green color of plants, shoots, and young foliage, reflecting vitality or freshness. In later Hellenistic and Koine usage, the term could extend metaphorically to describe pallor or an unhealthy, livid appearance, especially in humans or animals—often in contexts of fear, sickness, or death. In the LXX (e.g., Ezekiel 1:16; 8:10), it is used to depict natural coloration, typically of vegetation. In the New Testament, notably in Revelation 6:8, χλωρός is used to describe the color of the horse associated with death ('pale horse'), where it conveys a ghastly, ashen, greenish pallor. English translations typically render it as 'green' for vegetation and 'pale' for human/animal pallor, but the term covers a spectrum from vibrant green to deathly pallor. Not to be confused with ἔρυσμα (ruby-red/rosy) or λευκός (white), which mark distinct color ranges.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as Χλόη; greenish, i.e. verdant, dun-colored:--green, pale.
Root Family
χλωρός (chlōros) — green, pale, fresh, livid
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5515-03 |
χλωρός | chloros | ADJ.A NOM M SG |
green | greenish-pale | green | 2 |
G5515-02 |
χλωρὸν | chloron | ADJ.S ACC N SG |
green thing | pale green | green | 1 |
G5515-01 |
χλωρῷ | chloro | ADJ.A DAT M SG |
green | to/for the green one | green | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5515-01 |
Mark 6:39 | χλωρῷ | chloro | ADJ.A DAT M SG |
green | to/for the green one | green |
G5515-03 |
Revelation 6:8 | χλωρός | chloros | ADJ.A NOM M SG |
pale | greenish-pale | greenish-pale |
G5515-03 |
Revelation 8:7 | χλωρὸς | chloros | ADJ.A NOM M SG |
green | greenish-pale | green |
G5515-02 |
Revelation 9:4 | χλωρὸν | chloron | ADJ.S ACC N SG |
green thing | pale green | green |