adverb from a derivative of (a whir); whizzingly, i.e. with a crash:--with a great noise.
Transliteration:rhoizēdón
Pronunciation:hroyd-zay-don'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adverb ῥοιζηδόν (rhoizēdón, `{{G4500}}`) is derived from a root suggesting a whirring or rushing sound. Its core meaning describes an action accompanied by a loud, rushing, or crashing noise. The lexical definition points to "whizzingly" or "with a crash," ultimately conveying the sense of "with a great noise." This implies not merely volume, but a sound indicative of rapid movement, disintegration, or violent impact. It is a sound that signifies a dramatic and decisive event, often associated with destruction or a powerful transition.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ῥοιζηδόν (rhoizēdón, `{{G4500}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the profound eschatological discourse of [[2 Peter 3:10]]. The verse states, "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise (ῥοιζηδόν), and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works in it will be burned up."
In this singular occurrence, ῥοιζηδόν describes the sound accompanying the dissolution of the heavens. The context is unequivocally one of cosmic judgment and transformation. The "great noise" is not a gentle fading, but a violent, audible event that underscores the dramatic and cataclysmic nature of the end of the present cosmic order. It evokes imagery of a tearing, a rushing collapse, or a mighty roar as the existing heavens are swept away. This sound is integral to the apocalyptic vision, signifying the absolute power and finality of God's action in bringing an end to the current age and preparing for a new creation.
### Related Words & Concepts
While ῥοιζηδόν (rhoizēdón, `{{G4500}}`) is unique in its specific description of a "whizzing" or "crashing" sound, it resonates with other biblical concepts related to divine power and cosmic events. The sound of God's presence or judgment is often depicted with powerful auditory phenomena:
* **Trumpets:** The sound of a trumpet (σαλπίγγος, `{{G4536}}`) frequently signals divine intervention, judgment, or the advent of the Lord, particularly in Revelation (e.g., [[Revelation 8:2]]).
* **Thunder:** Thunder (βροντή, `{{G1027}}`) is consistently associated with the voice of God or His majestic presence (e.g., [[Revelation 4:5]], [[Revelation 10:3]]).
* **Rushing Wind:** The "rushing mighty wind" (πνοή, `{{G4157}}`) at Pentecost ([[Acts 2:2]]) signifies a powerful divine visitation, though in the context of new creation rather than dissolution.
* **Cosmic Dissolution:** Concepts like the "passing away" (παρέρχομαι, `{{G3928}}`) of the heavens and earth, the "dissolving" (λύω, `{{G3089}}`) of elements, and the "burning up" (κατακαίω, `{{G2618}}`) of the earth are directly linked to the sound described by ῥοιζηδόν. The sound is the audible manifestation of these destructive and transformative processes.
The uniqueness of ῥοιζηδόν lies in its specific acoustic quality—a sound of rapid, powerful, and ultimately destructive movement—setting it apart from general "loud noises" and emphasizing the visceral nature of the eschatological event.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of ῥοιζηδόν (rhoizēdón, `{{G4500}}`) in [[2 Peter 3:10]] carries profound theological weight:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Power:** The "great noise" accompanying the dissolution of the heavens is a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty over creation. It is not a quiet or unnoticed event, but a dramatic display of divine power that brings the current cosmic order to a decisive end.
* **Finality of Judgment:** The sound underscores the irreversible and conclusive nature of the eschatological judgment. The present heavens will not merely fade away, but will pass with a resounding crash, signifying the finality of God's righteous verdict on a fallen world.
* **Cosmic Transformation:** While destructive to the old, this cataclysmic sound is a precursor to the creation of "new heavens and a new earth" ([[2 Peter 3:13]]). It marks a violent, yet necessary, transition, a cosmic birth pang leading to a renewed creation where righteousness dwells.
* **Audible Manifestation of Divine Will:** The sound is not incidental but an active manifestation of God's will in the ultimate act of history. It is an audible signature of divine action, ensuring that the end of the age is as powerfully declared as its beginning.
* **Call to Holy Living:** The vivid description of this dramatic end serves as a powerful impetus for believers to live lives of holiness and godliness, anticipating the Lord's return and the coming new creation ([[2 Peter 3:11-12]]). The sound is a warning and a motivation.
### Summary
The Greek adverb ῥοιζηδόν (rhoizēdón, `{{G4500}}`) is a unique and potent term, appearing only once in the New Testament in [[2 Peter 3:10]]. It precisely describes a "whizzing" or "crashing" sound, conveying a sense of sudden, powerful, and destructive force. In its sole biblical context, it vividly portrays the cataclysmic noise accompanying the passing away of the present heavens on the Day of the Lord. Theologically, ῥοιζηδόν underscores God's absolute power and sovereignty in bringing about the final judgment and cosmic transformation. It signifies the dramatic, irreversible end of the old creation, a profound audible manifestation of divine will that precedes the advent of the new heavens and new earth. Its singular use and specific meaning emphasize the awe-inspiring and decisive nature of these eschatological events, serving as a solemn reminder and a call to faithful living.
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