The Greek word kéleuma, represented by G2752, means a cry of incitement or a shout. It is a highly specific term, appearing only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible. Its rarity highlights its use in a singular, momentous event.
The sole appearance of G2752 is in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, which describes the descent of the Lord from heaven. The event is announced with a sequence of powerful sounds: the Lord descends "with a shout G2752, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God." This cry of incitement directly precedes the resurrection of "the dead in Christ," establishing it as a commanding and powerful utterance.
Several related words appear alongside G2752 in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, providing a fuller acoustic picture of this event:
- G5456 phōnḗ (a tone... an address... noise, sound, voice): This word describes the "voice of the archangel" that accompanies the shout. It is frequently used for divine communication, including the voice of God the Father 2 Peter 1:17 and of Jesus John 10:27.
- G743 archángelos (a chief angel): This term identifies the source of the voice as a high-ranking angel, underscoring the importance of the announcement 1 Thessalonians 4:16. The word also appears in reference to "Michael the archangel" Jude 1:9.
- G4536 sálpinx (a trumpet): The final sound is the "trump of God." The trumpet is often associated with major eschatological events, such as the gathering of the elect Matthew 24:31 and the final resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:52.
The theological weight of G2752 is concentrated in its single, powerful use.
- Command of Resurrection: As "a cry of incitement," the shout functions as the divine command that initiates the resurrection of the dead at the Lord's return 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
- Eschatological Proclamation: Its context firmly places the word within the framework of end-times events. The shout is part of the herald of Christ's second coming.
- A Trinity of Sound: The word does not appear in isolation. It is part of a trio of sounds—the Lord's shout, the archangel's voice, and God's trumpet—that together signify an event of ultimate divine authority and cosmic significance.
In summary, while G2752 is one of the rarer words in the New Testament, its singular use is profound. It represents more than just a sound; it is an authoritative command that incites the dead to rise. Occurring at the very moment of the Lord's descent from heaven, kéleuma marks the climactic moment of resurrection, its significance amplified by the accompanying voice of the archangel and the trump of God.
TRV