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G4072

πέτομαι

pétomai /ptah'-om-ahee/ Ask about this word
middle voice of a primary verb
to fly
fly(-ing).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of pétomai — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word pétomai, represented by G4072, is a primary verb used to mean to fly. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. Its use is confined entirely to the book of Revelation, where it describes the movement of celestial beings and symbolic figures.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G4072 is used exclusively to depict supernatural or significant actions within apocalyptic visions. It describes angels moving through the "midst of heaven" to deliver critical messages, such as the everlasting gospel Revelation 14:6 or to announce coming woes upon the earth Revelation 8:13. The term is also applied to symbolic creatures, including the fourth beast around the throne, which was "like a flying eagle" Revelation 4:7. It further illustrates divine protection, as the woman in the wilderness is given wings so that she might fly to safety from the serpent Revelation 12:14.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller context for the concept of flight:

  • G105 aetós: This word means an eagle. It is directly linked to the act of flying in Revelation, as seen with the fourth beast described as a "flying eagle" Revelation 4:7 and the woman who is given "wings of a great eagle, that she might fly" Revelation 12:14.
  • G4420 ptéryx: Meaning a wing, this word is derived from G4072. It is essential for the action of flying, most notably in the passage where the woman is given two wings to enable her escape Revelation 12:14.

Theological Significance

The significance of G4072 is tied to its exclusive use in Revelation's imagery.

  • Celestial Messengers: The word emphasizes the swiftness and divine authority of angels as they traverse the heavens to execute God's will. Angels are seen flying to make proclamations to all of humanity (Revelation 14:6, Revelation 8:13).
  • Symbolic Representation: The act of flying is attributed to powerful symbolic figures. The fourth beast's description as a "flying eagle" Revelation 4:7 conveys a sense of majesty, power, and a heavenly perspective.
  • Divine Deliverance: The word illustrates a means of supernatural escape and protection. The woman who is enabled to fly into the wilderness is a clear picture of God providing a way to be preserved from her persecutor Revelation 12:14.

Summary

In summary, G4072 is a specific and potent action verb used in the Bible to convey more than simple movement. Reserved for the visions of Revelation, it signifies the supernatural, swift, and authoritative motion of beings acting on a divine stage. Whether describing an angel, a symbolic beast, or a figure under God's protection, pétomai enhances the grand and otherworldly nature of the apocalyptic narrative.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists one rendering for this word. It is counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the number is how many of them use it. Select it to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 5 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • πετόμενον
  • πετομένοις
  • πετομένῳ
  • πετομένου
  • πέτηται

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

5 verses, all in Revelation — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.