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καπνός

kapnós

G2586 noun

SILEX Entry

Root καπν- smoke, vapor, emission from fire

Definition

Smoke; the visible vapor or gaseous product emitted from burning or smoldering material. In literary and metaphorical contexts, refers to rising smoke as an image of destruction, judgment, or incense, according to the setting. The primary sense is the physical phenomenon of smoke, with figurative extensions including manifestations of destruction (e.g., rising smoke from devastated cities) and divine presence or offering (e.g., the ascension of incense or sacrifices).

Semantic Range

smoke from fire, rising smoke, smoke as a sign of destruction or judgment, smoke from incense or sacrifices, vapor or visible emission

Root / Etymology

Of uncertain origin; not securely connected to a known Greek root. Possibly an onomatopoeic formation, reflecting the sound or effect of smoke, but no clear derivation can be established from other Greek terms.

Historical & Contextual Notes

καπνός appears in classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek, with consistent core meaning of 'smoke' in both physical and derived senses. In the Septuagint, commonly used to render Hebrew עָשָׁן (ʿāšān), referring to literal smoke (from fire, incense, or burnt offerings) or a figurative sign of divine presence (e.g., smoke from Sinai, Isaiah 6:4). In the New Testament, notably in Revelation, it often signifies the smoke of judgment, torment, or destruction (e.g., smoke rising from Babylon), but also appears in contexts alluding to incense or worship. English translations as 'smoke' usually capture the physical sense but may obscure metaphorical nuances, especially when used for imagery of judgment, divine wrath, or worship. Distinct from θυμίαμα ('incense'), which specifically denotes aromatic offerings, though both can be associated in religious contexts. The term does not carry specialized religious or symbolic meaning beyond its context-driven associations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; smoke:--smoke.

Root Family

καπνός (kapnos) — smoke, vapor, emission from fire

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G2586-02 καπνὸς kapnos N NOM M SG smoke smoke 6
G2586-03 καπνοῦ kapnou N GEN M SG of smoke of smoke 5
G2586-01 καπνὸν kapnon N ACC M SG smoke smoke 2

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G2586-03 Acts 2:19 καπνοῦ kapnou N GEN M SG of smoke of smoke
G2586-02 Revelation 8:4 καπνὸς kapnos N NOM M SG smoke
G2586-02 Revelation 9:2 καπνὸς kapnos N NOM M SG smoke
G2586-02 Revelation 9:2 καπνὸς kapnos-2 N NOM M SG smoke
G2586-03 Revelation 9:2 καπνοῦ kapnou N GEN M SG of smoke
G2586-03 Revelation 9:3 καπνοῦ kapnou N GEN M SG of smoke
G2586-02 Revelation 9:17 καπνὸς kapnos N NOM M SG smoke
G2586-03 Revelation 9:18 καπνοῦ kapnou N GEN M SG of smoke
G2586-02 Revelation 14:11 καπνὸς kapnos N NOM M SG smoke smoke
G2586-03 Revelation 15:8 καπνοῦ kapnou N GEN M SG with smoke of smoke
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