The Greek word hórmēma, represented by G3731, conveys the concept of violence. Derived from a word meaning an attack or precipitancy, it appears only 1 times across 1 unique verses in the Bible, making its single usage highly significant.
The sole appearance of G3731 is in the dramatic prophecy of Revelation 18:21. Here, a mighty angel takes up a stone like a great millstone and casts it into the sea. This action serves as a powerful illustration, with the angel declaring, "Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all." The word describes the sudden, forceful, and final nature of the city's prophesied destruction.
Several related words in the passage help to build the scene of powerful, decisive action:
- G906 bállō: This verb means to throw, often with a violent or intense application. It is used multiple times in Revelation 18:21 to describe how the millstone is cast into the sea and how Babylon itself will be thrown down.
- G3173 mégas: Meaning great or mighty, this adjective is used to describe the "great" millstone and the "great" city of Babylon Revelation 18:21. It is also used to describe the "great" dragon, signifying immense power or scale Revelation 12:9.
- G142 aírō: This word means to lift up or take away. It is used to describe the angel's initial action of taking up the stone Revelation 18:21 and is also used figuratively, as when Jesus is described as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world John 1:29.
The theological weight of G3731 is concentrated in its single, apocalyptic context.
- Irreversible Judgment: The word signifies a judgment that is not only forceful but also absolute and final. The image of a millstone thrown into the sea with violence illustrates that Babylon's fall will be sudden and complete, as it "shall be found no more at all" Revelation 18:21.
- Divine Execution: The action is performed by a "mighty angel," indicating that this is an act of divine power, not human conflict. The violence described is the instrument of God's decisive judgment against systems of worldly rebellion.
- Symbolic Overthrow: The use of G3731 in the context of Babylon's fall provides a stark picture of the ultimate fate of powers that stand in opposition to God. The word emphasizes the sheer force with which divine justice will be enacted.
In summary, G3731 is a rare but potent term. Its singular use in scripture is not incidental but is reserved for one of the Bible's most vivid depictions of divine judgment. It defines the fall of Babylon as an act of sudden, decisive, and final force, illustrating the overwhelming power of God to overthrow worldly systems and enact His perfect will.
TRV