from πῦρ; fire-like, i.e. (specially), flame- colored:--red.
Transliteration:pyrrhós
Pronunciation:poor-hros'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective pyrrhós (πυῤῥός, `{{G4450}}`) is derived directly from the noun pȳr (πῦρ, `{{G4442}}`), meaning "fire." Its core semantic range therefore pertains to qualities associated with fire. Specifically, it describes something as "fire-like" or "fiery." In its specialized usage, as indicated by the base definition, pyrrhós denotes a "flame-colored" or "red" hue, evoking the vivid and intense color of a burning flame or glowing embers. It functions as a descriptive adjective, emphasizing the striking and often alarming nature of the color it describes.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term pyrrhós (πυῤῥός, `{{G4450}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, found in the book of Revelation:
* [[Revelation 6:4]]: "And another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and a great sword was given to him."
In this singular occurrence, pyrrhós describes the color of the second horse in the apocalyptic vision of the four horsemen, which emerges upon the opening of the second seal. The context is crucial: this "fiery red" horse is explicitly linked to the removal of peace from the earth, leading to widespread conflict and mutual slaughter. The color is not merely a descriptive detail but a powerful symbol directly corresponding to the rider's destructive mission. It immediately calls to mind images of blood, fire, war, and intense violence, setting a stark and ominous tone for the unfolding events of judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for pyrrhós (πυῤῥός, `{{G4450}}`) is its root, pȳr (πῦρ, `{{G4442}}`), meaning "fire." This fundamental link imbues pyrrhós with the rich biblical symbolism of fire, which can represent divine presence, purification, testing, or, most relevantly here, judgment and destruction.
Other related concepts, though not direct linguistic cognates, are strongly evoked by the context of [[Revelation 6:4]]:
* haima (αἷμα, `{{G129}}`): "Blood." The "fiery red" color naturally evokes the color of blood, a pervasive biblical symbol for life, sacrifice, and violent death. In Revelation, blood is frequently associated with martyrdom, divine vengeance, and the devastation of war.
* polemos (πόλεμος, `{{G4171}}`): "War" or "battle." The rider on the pyrrhós horse is explicitly empowered to instigate war and conflict, making polemos a direct conceptual correlate.
* The broader theme of divine judgment and tribulation, which is central to the book of Revelation, provides the overarching framework for understanding the symbolic weight of this color. The pyrrhós horse stands in stark contrast to the white horse (`{{G3022}}`) of the first seal, which often symbolizes conquest or purity, signaling a dramatic shift from initial victory (or deceptive peace) to widespread global conflict.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of pyrrhós (πυῤῥός, `{{G4450}}`) is profound due to its singular and highly symbolic appearance in [[Revelation 6:4]].
* **Symbol of Divine Judgment and Wrath:** The "fiery red" color is a potent visual metaphor for God's permissive judgment upon a rebellious world. The fact that the rider is "granted" authority indicates that these devastating events are not random but part of God's sovereign plan, allowing the consequences of sin to unfold. The color intensifies the sense of impending wrath and the severity of the tribulation.
* **Consequences of Sin and Human Depravity:** The rider's mission to "take peace from the earth" and cause people to "kill one another" graphically illustrates the destructive nature of human sin and rebellion against God. The pyrrhós horse visually represents the breakdown of societal order and the unleashing of humanity's darkest impulses.
* **Apocalyptic Warning:** In apocalyptic literature, colors are rarely arbitrary; they carry specific symbolic weight. The "fiery red" is a deliberate choice intended to evoke a strong spiritual and emotional response, signaling danger, bloodshed, and cataclysmic events. It serves as a stark warning of the horrors that will accompany the period of divine judgment.
* **Contrast and Progression:** The progression from the white horse to the pyrrhós horse signifies a transition from initial conquest or deceptive peace to overt and widespread global conflict. This sequence underscores the escalating nature of the judgments unveiled through the seals.
### Summary
The Greek adjective pyrrhós (πυῤῥός, `{{G4450}}`), meaning "fire-like" or "flame-colored," derives from pȳr (fire, `{{G4442}}`). Its sole New Testament appearance in [[Revelation 6:4]] is highly significant, describing the "fiery red" horse of the second seal. This vivid color is not merely descriptive but profoundly symbolic, representing the rider's mission to unleash widespread war, bloodshed, and the removal of peace from the earth. As a powerful visual metaphor, pyrrhós underscores the intensity of divine judgment, the devastating consequences of human sin, and the escalating nature of the tribulation period, serving as a potent and reverent warning within the apocalyptic narrative of God's ultimate sovereignty.
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