← G795 G797 →

ἀστραπή

astrapḗ

G796 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A rapid flash or streak of light; primarily denotes 'lightning' as the sudden, natural electrical phenomenon in the sky, but can also refer metaphorically to vivid brightness, radiance, or a sudden, striking gleam.

Semantic Range

lightning, flash of light, vivid brightness, luminous glare, radiance (metaphorical), sudden shining

Root / Etymology

From the root ἀστραπ- (astrap-), related to ἀστράπτω (to flash, to gleam, to emit lightning). The noun form ἀστραπή develops directly from the verb in Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀστραπή is well-attested as referring to literal lightning, the meteorological event. In the Septuagint, it regularly translates Hebrew terms such as בָּרָק (barāq, lightning), marking rapid flashes in the sky or supernatural brightness associated with divine presence. In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 10:18, 17:24), the term is used both for physical lightning and metaphorically to describe suddenness or manifest glory—such as the appearance of a figure or an eschatological event. Occasionally, ἀστραπή extends to describe anything with dazzling or overwhelming brightness, as in the glory or radiant clothing of celestial beings (e.g., Luke 24:4). The core meaning is almost always visual, not auditory. English translations typically render it as 'lightning,' but sometimes 'flashing,' 'glare,' or 'bright shining' may fit, especially in metaphorical contexts. The semantic range is determined by literary, environmental, and symbolic factors in each context and may carry connotations of awe, revelation, or power due to the inherent qualities of lightning in Mediterranean thought.

Translation Consistency

primary "lightning" 8 occurrences

The primary and most natural English equivalent for ἀστραπή is “lightning.” It matches the dominant literal sense (a sudden streak/flash of electrical light) and works naturally for the metaphorical senses of vivid brightness or sudden shining. It is also the most frequent rendering in the P2 data, so using “lightning” ensures consistent, idiomatic translation across all forms.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"bright shining" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀστράπτω; lightning; by analogy, glare:--lightning, bright shining.

Root Family

ἀστραπή (astrapē) — lightning, flash, sudden shining, radiance, gleam

Root ἀστραπ- to flash, to emit lightning, to gleam

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G796-01 ἀστραπαὶ astrapai N NOM F PL lightnings lightning flashes lightning flashes 4
G796-02 ἀστραπὴ astrape N NOM F SG lightning lightning flash lightning flash 4
G796-03 ἀστραπὴν astrapen N ACC F SG lightning a lightning flash a lightning flash 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G796-02 Matthew 24:27 ἀστραπὴ astrape N NOM F SG lightning lightning flash lightning flash
G796-02 Matthew 28:3 ἀστραπὴ astrape N NOM F SG lightning lightning flash lightning flash
G796-03 Luke 10:18 ἀστραπὴν astrapen N ACC F SG lightning a lightning flash a lightning flash
G796-02 Luke 11:36 ἀστραπῇ astrape N DAT F SG bright shining lightning flash bright shining
G796-02 Luke 17:24 ἀστραπὴ astrape N NOM F SG lightning lightning flash lightning flash
G796-01 Revelation 4:5 ἀστραπαὶ astrapai N NOM F PL lightnings lightning flashes lightning flashes
G796-01 Revelation 8:5 ἀστραπαὶ astrapai N NOM F PL lightnings lightning flashes lightning flashes
G796-01 Revelation 11:19 ἀστραπαὶ astrapai N NOM F PL lightnings lightning flashes lightning flashes
G796-01 Revelation 16:18 ἀστραπαὶ astrapai N NOM F PL flashes of lightning lightning flashes lightning flashes
← G795 Greek Lexicon G797 →