χαλκολίβανον (G5474) — Greek Lexicon

χαλκολίβανον

chalkolíbanon

G5474 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A highly burnished or gleaming metal, probably a rare copper alloy (such as bronze or brass), characterized by its lustrous and brilliant appearance; used in ancient texts for visual descriptions, especially of radiant or shining surfaces, such as in visions or descriptions of feet or other body parts with a metallic, glistening quality. Though often rendered as 'fine brass' or 'burnished bronze,' the exact nature of the alloy is uncertain, signifying any brilliant copper-based metal with a dazzling sheen.

Semantic Range

burnished or brilliant copper alloy, shining/burnished bronze, radiant metallic surface, dazzling element (in visionary or descriptive contexts)

Root / Etymology

From χαλκός ('copper, bronze') and an uncertain second element; some propose derivation from λίβανος ('incense'), but this is debated. The second element may refer to whiteness or brilliance. Etymology uncertain beyond the recognition of χαλκός as the first element.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested in late Hellenistic or Koine sources, primarily in Revelation (NT) and not widely found from classical Greek. The word appears in Revelation 1:15 and 2:18 to describe the feet of the exalted figure as λαμπρὸς ('gleaming') like χαλκολίβανον, highlighting extraordinary brilliance and burnished appearance. The term's exact referent is debated among lexicographers due to lack of external evidence and parallels; proposals include electrum (an alloy of gold and silver), fine bronze, or a copper-zinc alloy. In the Septuagint, the simpler χαλκός is common for copper or bronze. Early translations (including the KJV's 'fine brass') reflect traditional guesses rather than the technical history of the material. This word signified more the impression and brilliance of the metal than its precise metallurgical composition. The rarity of the word underscores the visual and symbolic value attached to the description. English 'fine brass' or 'burnished bronze' narrows the broader sense of dazzling, shining metal that would have impressed ancient hearers.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of a compound of χαλκός and λίβανος (in the implied mean of whiteness or brilliancy); burnished copper, an alloy of copper (or gold) and silver having a brilliant lustre:--fine brass.

Root Family

χαλκ- (chálkeos) — copper, bronze, metal

Root χαλκ- copper, bronze, shining (by extension)

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G5470	χάλκεος	bronze things
G5471	χαλκεύς	copper-smith
G5472	χαλκηδών	copper-hued gemstone
G5473	χαλκίον	of bronze vessels
G5475	χαλκός	copper/bronze (accusative singular)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5474-01`	χαλκολιβάνῳ	chalkolibano	`N DAT N SG`	burnished bronze	to burnished bronze	to burnished bronze	2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5474-01`	Revelation 1:15	χαλκολιβάνῳ	chalkolibano	`N DAT N SG`	burnished bronze	to burnished bronze	to burnished bronze
`G5474-01`	Revelation 2:18	χαλκολιβάνῳ	chalkolibano	`N DAT N SG`	burnished bronze	to burnished bronze	to burnished bronze

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