### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term ῥέδα (rhéda, `{{G4480}}`) is a transliteration of a Latin word, indicating its foreign origin within the Greek lexicon of the New Testament. Its core meaning denotes a "four-wheeled carriage" or a "wagon for riding." This definition distinguishes it from the more common two-wheeled chariots often associated with warfare or swift travel in ancient contexts. The rhéda implies a more substantial, perhaps heavier, vehicle designed for passenger transport or carrying goods, suggesting a degree of comfort or capacity rather than speed or military prowess. The given English equivalent "chariot" in some translations should be understood in this specific sense of a larger, four-wheeled conveyance, akin to a coach or wagon, rather than a war chariot.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ῥέδα (rhéda, `{{G4480}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the book of Revelation. Its singular occurrence is found in [[Revelation 18:13]], within the lament of the merchants over the fall of Babylon the Great. The verse lists an extensive catalogue of luxurious and valuable commodities that constituted the wealth and trade of this fallen spiritual-economic system: "and cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and *chariots* (ῥέδα), and slaves, and souls of men."
In this context, the inclusion of rhéda among items like gold, precious stones, fine linen, and various exotic goods underscores its status as a valuable commodity, emblematic of the opulence and worldly prosperity of Babylon. It is not presented as an instrument of war or conquest, but rather as an article of commerce, contributing to the overall picture of extravagant consumption and material accumulation that characterized the doomed city. The presence of rhéda in this list highlights the breadth of Babylon's commercial reach and its reliance on the acquisition and trade of luxury items.
### Related Words & Concepts
To fully appreciate the nuance of ῥέδα (rhéda, `{{G4480}}`), it is helpful to consider other biblical terms for conveyances:
* **Hebrew Terms:**
* מֶרְכָּבָה (merkābāh, `{{H4818}}`): This is the most common Hebrew word for "chariot," frequently appearing in the Old Testament, often in military contexts (e.g., Pharaoh's chariots in [[Exodus 14:7]]) or associated with royal and divine transport (e.g., Elijah's fiery chariot in [[2 Kings 2:11]]). Unlike rhéda, merkābāh typically refers to a two-wheeled vehicle.
* עֲגָלָה ('agālāh, `{{H5699}}`): This term denotes a "cart" or "wagon," often used for transporting goods or people, as seen when the Ark of the Covenant was moved on a new cart ([[2 Samuel 6:3]]) or when wagons were provided for Jacob's family ([[Genesis 45:19]]). This term is functionally closer to rhéda in its capacity for carrying.
* **Greek Terms:**
* ἅρμα (harma, `{{G716}}`): This is the most common Greek word for "chariot" in the New Testament, used in contexts such as the Ethiopian eunuch's chariot in [[Acts 8:28]] or Revelation's depiction of horses and chariots in apocalyptic visions ([[Revelation 9:9]]). Similar to merkābāh, harma often implies a two-wheeled vehicle, potentially for war or quick travel.
The concept of rhéda thus stands distinct from military chariots, aligning more with the idea of a substantial, perhaps luxurious, mode of transport for civilian or commercial purposes, emphasizing its role as a valuable commodity rather than an instrument of power.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of ῥέδα (rhéda, `{{G4480}}`) in [[Revelation 18:13]] carries significant theological weight, not due to the inherent nature of the vehicle itself, but because of its placement within the prophetic denunciation of Babylon the Great. The rhéda is listed among a vast array of material possessions and human resources that define Babylon's worldly wealth and power. This comprehensive list serves to illustrate the extent of Babylon's reliance on earthly commerce and its indulgence in luxury, which stands in stark contrast to the spiritual values of God's kingdom.
The inclusion of rhéda highlights:
1. **Worldly Opulence:** It contributes to the vivid picture of Babylon's immense wealth and self-indulgence, signifying a society deeply entrenched in material accumulation and transient pleasures.
2. **Transient Nature of Earthly Possessions:** The lament over the loss of these goods, including the rhéda, underscores the fleeting and perishable nature of all worldly treasures. Babylon's fall demonstrates that reliance on material wealth ultimately leads to ruin, as these things cannot endure God's judgment.
3. **Contrast with God's Kingdom:** The detailed catalogue of luxury items serves as a stark foil to the values of the New Jerusalem, where true wealth is found in righteousness, eternal life, and communion with God, rather than in perishable goods. The rhéda, as an item of earthly comfort and status, represents the very things that will be swept away in the divine judgment.
Thus, rhéda functions as a symbol of the earthly system's self-sufficiency, its pursuit of comfort and status, and its ultimate vulnerability to divine judgment, reminding believers to fix their gaze on eternal realities rather than fleeting material possessions.
### Summary
The Greek term ῥέδα (rhéda, `{{G4480}}`), derived from Latin, specifically denotes a four-wheeled carriage or wagon for riding, distinct from military chariots. Its sole occurrence in the New Testament is in [[Revelation 18:13]], where it is listed among the vast array of luxury goods that define the commercial wealth of Babylon the Great. In this context, rhéda serves as a potent symbol of worldly opulence, material accumulation, and the transient nature of earthly possessions. Its inclusion in the lament over Babylon's fall underscores the ultimate futility and perishable quality of all things not rooted in the eternal kingdom of God. The word, therefore, contributes to the broader theological message of Revelation, highlighting the contrast between the fleeting treasures of this world and the enduring spiritual realities.
TRV