Word Study for G4150 (πλύνω) | Strong's Concordance

plýnō /ploo'-no/ Ask about this word

Meaninga prolonged form of an obsolete (to "flow"); to "plunge", i.e. launder clothing

KJV usagewash. Compare λούω, νίπτω.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of plýnō — 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 plýnō, represented by G4150, means to "plunge" or launder clothing. Derived from an obsolete term for "to flow," its specific application is to wash. This word is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole use of G4150 is found in a highly symbolic context within the book of Revelation. It describes the saints who have emerged from a period of intense suffering, stating they "have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" Revelation 7:14. Here, the act of washing is not a literal cleansing with water but a spiritual purification achieved through a paradoxical agent: blood.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words are essential to understanding the context of G4150:

G3021 leukaínō (to whiten): This word describes the direct result of the washing in Revelation 7:14. The robes are not just cleansed; they are actively made white, a state of purity that, according to Mark 9:3, no earthly fuller could achieve.
G129 haîma (blood): This is the cleansing agent used to wash the robes. The concept of blood as a means of redemption and forgiveness is a consistent theme, as seen in Ephesians 1:7 and Revelation 5:9.
G721 arníon (lamb): This word identifies the source of the purifying blood. The Lamb is a central figure in Revelation, whose sacrifice enables overcoming and redemption Revelation 12:11.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4150 is concentrated in its single, powerful appearance.

Atoning Purification: The action of washing robes in blood G129 is a profound metaphor for salvation. It signifies a cleansing from sin that is only possible through the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb G721.
Righteousness through Faith: Those who wash their robes are the ones who have come out of "great tribulation" Revelation 7:14. This act represents their identification with Christ's death, resulting in their robes being made white G3021, a symbol of imputed righteousness.
Victory and Overcoming: The context connects this cleansing with ultimate victory. As stated in Revelation 12:11, the saints overcome by the blood of the Lamb G721 and their testimony.

Summary

In summary, while G4150 appears only once, its use in Revelation 7:14 is pivotal. It encapsulates a core tenet of Christian theology: spiritual purification and righteousness are not achieved through ordinary means but through the paradoxical and powerful cleansing found in the blood of the Lamb. It transforms a common word for washing into a symbol of ultimate redemption.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

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

1 verse, 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, 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.