of foreign origin (compare פְּרָת); Euphrates, a river of Asia:--Euphrates.
Transliteration:Euphrátēs
Pronunciation:yoo-frat'-ace
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word G2166 (Euphrátēs) is a proper noun, directly designating the Euphrates River, one of the most significant waterways of the ancient Near East. Its base definition notes its foreign origin, explicitly comparing it to the Hebrew `{{H6578}}` (Pᵉrāth), from which it is derived. This indicates that G2166 is essentially a transliteration or direct adoption of the Semitic name for the river. As a proper noun, its semantic range is narrow, referring solely to this specific geographical entity. It does not carry multiple conceptual meanings beyond its identity as a major river, though its *significance* in biblical contexts is profound.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, G2166 (Euphrátēs) appears exclusively in the book of Revelation, always referred to as "the great river Euphrates." Its occurrences are limited to two pivotal passages:
* **[[Revelation 9:14]]**: Here, a voice from the four horns of the golden altar commands the sixth angel to "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." These angels, upon release, are instrumental in a major judgment, leading to the death of a third of mankind. The Euphrates thus serves as a specific geographical point from which destructive forces are unleashed in the unfolding of God's eschatological plan. It is presented as a place where powerful, malevolent entities are held in check until God's appointed time.
* **[[Revelation 16:12]]**: During the pouring out of the sixth bowl of God's wrath, "the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the East." In this context, the drying up of the river is a divine act that removes a significant geographical barrier. This action facilitates the movement of armies, specifically "the kings from the East," in preparation for the climactic battle of Armageddon. The river, therefore, becomes an active element in the divine orchestration of end-time events, its very waters manipulated to serve God's purposes.
In both instances, the Euphrates is more than a mere backdrop; it is a focal point for significant prophetic events, underscoring its strategic importance in the divine economy of judgment and fulfillment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H6578}}` (Pᵉrāth), which is extensively mentioned throughout the Old Testament. This connection is crucial for understanding the historical and theological continuity of the river's significance:
* **Geographical Marker:** The Euphrates is one of the four rivers flowing out of the Garden of Eden [[Genesis 2:14]]. It also served as the eastern boundary of the land promised to Abraham's descendants [[Genesis 15:18]] and was a significant border for various ancient empires (Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Roman).
* **Symbol of Oppressive Powers:** In the Old Testament, the Euphrates was often associated with the great powers that threatened or oppressed Israel, particularly Assyria and Babylon. The "waters" of the Euphrates could symbolize invading armies or overwhelming forces [[Isaiah 8:7-8]].
* **Divine Intervention and Restoration:** The drying up of waters is a recurring motif in biblical narratives, often symbolizing divine intervention to remove obstacles or defeat enemies (e.g., the Red Sea [[Exodus 14:21]], the Jordan River [[Joshua 3:15-17]]). In the Old Testament, the drying up of a river could signify the removal of a barrier to God's people returning from exile or the defeat of their enemies [[Isaiah 11:15]]. This motif resonates strongly with its use in [[Revelation 16:12]].
* **Other Major Rivers:** While not linguistically related, other significant biblical rivers (e.g., the Nile, Tigris, Jordan) share the conceptual role of geographical markers that are often subject to divine action, serving as sites of historical or prophetic significance.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of G2166 (Euphrátēs) in the New Testament, particularly in Revelation, is multifaceted:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Creation:** The specific mention and manipulation of the Euphrates River demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty, not only over human history but also over the physical geography of the earth. The river is not an independent entity but an instrument in God's hand, its waters dried up or made a boundary according to His divine will.
* **Eschatological Precision:** The Euphrates serves as a precise geographical marker for critical end-time events. Its role in releasing destructive forces and facilitating the movement of armies underscores the detailed and literal nature of certain biblical prophecies concerning the culmination of history.
* **Continuity of Redemptive History:** The New Testament's reference to the Euphrates links it directly to Old Testament prophetic traditions concerning empires, judgment, and the boundaries of God's people. This continuity highlights that God's plan unfolds consistently across the testaments, with the same geographical locations often bearing renewed prophetic significance. The river, once a boundary of the promised land and a source of threat, becomes a stage for the final unfolding of God's justice.
* **Facilitator of Judgment:** In Revelation, the Euphrates is intrinsically linked to divine judgment. It is the place from which destructive angels are released [[Revelation 9:14]] and the obstacle removed to allow the gathering of forces for the final battle [[Revelation 16:12]]. It signifies a key location where God's wrath is executed and where the stage is set for the ultimate triumph of His purposes.
### Summary
G2166 (Euphrátēs) is the Greek proper noun for the Euphrates River, directly derived from its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H6578}}` (Pᵉrāth). In the New Testament, its occurrences are confined to the book of Revelation, where it is consistently referred to as "the great river Euphrates" [[Revelation 9:14]], [[Revelation 16:12]]. Theologically, the Euphrates functions as a critical geographical locus in God's eschatological plan, serving as a point for the release of divine judgment and a strategic barrier removed to facilitate the culmination of end-time events. Its presence underscores God's meticulous sovereignty over creation, the precision of biblical prophecy, and the continuity of divine judgment and redemptive history from the Old Testament through to the final consummation.
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