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χρυσός

chrysós

G5557 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Gold, a precious yellow metal; in broader contexts, refers to anything made of gold or resembling gold in value, color, or brilliance. Primarily denotes the metal itself, but can also signify objects manufactured from gold (such as jewelry, ornaments, coins), and by extension, wealth or splendor associated with gold.

Semantic Range

gold (the metal), articles made of gold (ornaments, jewelry, coins, vessels), gold used metaphorically for wealth or splendor, golden color or brilliance

Root / Etymology

Probably from an archaic root χρυ- (chry-), meaning 'gold.' The precise etymology is uncertain. There is no direct evidence linking it to χράομαι; likely pre-Greek or pre-existing in early Indo-European strata. Not a derivative of a known verb or noun of utility.

Historical & Contextual Notes

χρυσός was used throughout Greek literature from Homeric through Koine periods to refer to the element 'gold' and, metonymically, to valuable possessions made from it. In the Septuagint and New Testament, often denotes gold as a substance, as well as gold money or ornamentation. Compared to ἀργύριον ('silver'), χρυσός consistently occupies the higher prestige. In classical and Hellenistic writings, gold was emblematic of both material wealth and, in some uses, divine or royal brilliance. English translations usually render χρυσός as 'gold', but may not always communicate when the term shifts from the tangible metal to symbolic or economic senses. In material culture, gold objects (such as crowns, bracelets, and temple vessels) are often called χρυσά, and coins may be referred to as χρυσίον (diminutive). The term was not limited to coinage or jewelry but extended to any gold-work or representation. The modern translation 'gold' generally captures the base meaning, but sometimes fails to convey the metonymic or symbolic dimensions common in ancient usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "gold" 12 occurrences

χρυσός primarily denotes the metal and things made from it; the simple noun “gold” is the most natural, common English rendering and covers metal, objects of gold, and figurative wealth/splendor. It matches the majority of existing renderings and works attributively (e.g., “gold cup”) better than the adjectival “golden.”

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

perhaps from the base of χράομαι (through the idea of the utility of the metal); gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin:--gold.

Root Family

χρυσ- (chrýseos) — gold, golden, made of gold

Root χρυσ- gold (as metal), golden object
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G5552 χρύσεος golden things
G5553 χρυσίον to crafted gold
G5558 χρυσόω having been gilded

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5557-01 χρυσῷ chruso N DAT M SG gold to/for gold to gold 5
G5557-02 χρυσὸν chruson N ACC M SG gold gold (masculine singular accusative) gold 4
G5557-03 χρυσὸς chrusos N NOM M SG gold gold gold 2
G5557-04 χρυσοῦ chrusou N GEN M SG of gold of gold of gold 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5557-02 Matthew 2:11 χρυσὸν chruson N ACC M SG gold gold (masculine singular accusative) gold
G5557-02 Matthew 10:9 χρυσὸν chruson N ACC M SG gold gold (masculine singular accusative) gold
G5557-01 Matthew 23:16 χρυσῷ chruso N DAT M SG gold to/for gold to gold
G5557-03 Matthew 23:17 χρυσὸς chrusos N NOM M SG gold gold gold
G5557-02 Matthew 23:17 χρυσόν chruson N ACC M SG gold gold (masculine singular accusative) gold
G5557-01 Acts 17:29 χρυσῷ chruso N DAT M SG gold to/for gold to gold
G5557-02 1 Corinthians 3:12 χρυσόν chruson N ACC M SG gold gold (masculine singular accusative) gold
G5557-01 1 Timothy 2:9 χρυσῷ chruso N DAT M SG gold to/for gold to gold
G5557-03 James 5:3 χρυσὸς chrusos N NOM M SG gold gold gold
G5557-01 Revelation 9:7 χρυσῷ chruso N DAT M SG gold to/for gold to gold
G5557-01 Revelation 17:4 χρυσῷ chruso N DAT M SG with gold to/for gold with gold
G5557-04 Revelation 18:12 χρυσοῦ chrusou N GEN M SG of gold of gold of gold
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