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θώραξ

thṓrax

G2382 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A covering or cuirass worn on the chest and torso, primarily for protection in battle; breastplate. In general Greek usage, refers to body armor made of metal or leather plates covering the chest and sometimes the back. In figurative or metaphorical usage (notably in the New Testament), refers to spiritual or moral protection likened to a breastplate.

Semantic Range

body armor (cuirass or corslet); chest covering; breastplate (priestly ornament or military equipment); figurative moral or spiritual protection; object worn over the torso for defense

Root / Etymology

From θώραξ (thṓrax); etymology uncertain. Possibly of pre-Greek origin or related to terms for chest or body armor, as there is no clear Indo-European cognate.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek literature, θώραξ refers to the cuirass or corselet—a primary component of Greek hoplite armor, made of bronze, leather, or composite materials, covering the chest and sometimes extending to protect the back. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the term continues to denote the primary piece of armor for the torso among soldiers and occasionally for ceremonial purposes. By the Second Temple and New Testament period, the term retains its primary concrete meaning (body armor), but is also employed metaphorically (e.g., Ephesians 6:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:8) to denote spiritual or moral defense—reflecting common Greco-Roman rhetorical practices of armor as metaphor for virtue or divine protection. The Septuagint uses θώραξ to translate Hebrew terms for priestly breastpieces (e.g., חֹשֶׁן, 'choshen,' Exod 28:4), though these objects may differ in form and function from Greco-Roman armor—a detail important for nuanced interpretation. In English Bible translations, 'breastplate' is standard but sometimes fails to convey the material, martial, or metaphorical dimensions present in Greek usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "breastplate" 5 occurrences

'Breastplate' is the most natural and familiar English equivalent for θώραξ in biblical and general usage. It covers both the literal military/ceremonial armor sense and the figurative/spiritual sense (e.g. 'breastplate of righteousness'), and is more common and readable than the more technical 'cuirass'.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; the chest ("thorax"), i.e. (by implication) a corslet:--breast-plate.

Root Family

θώραξ (thōrax) — chest, breast, cuirass, corslet, torso-covering armor

Root θωρ- chest, breast, cuirass, corslet, to cover or protect the torso

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2382-02 θώρακας thorakas N ACC M PL breastplates breastplates breastplates 3
G2382-01 θώρακα thoraka N ACC M SG breastplate a cuirass a breastplate 2

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2382-01 Ephesians 6:14 θώρακα thoraka N ACC M SG breastplate a cuirass a breastplate
G2382-01 1 Thessalonians 5:8 θώρακα thoraka N ACC M SG breastplate a cuirass a breastplate
G2382-02 Revelation 9:9 θώρακας thorakas N ACC M PL breastplates breastplates breastplates
G2382-02 Revelation 9:9 θώρακας thorakas-2 N ACC M PL breastplates breastplates breastplates
G2382-02 Revelation 9:17 θώρακας thorakas N ACC M PL breastplates breastplates breastplates
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