Word Study for G4537 (σαλπίζω)

salpízō /sal-pid'-zo/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom σάλπιγξ

Meaningto trumpet, i.e. sound a blast (literally or figuratively)

KJV usage(which are yet to) sound (a trumpet).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of salpízō — 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 salpízō, represented by G4537, means to trumpet or sound a blast. Appearing 13 times across 12 unique verses, it is derived from the noun σάλπιγξ, meaning trumpet. The term is used both literally and figuratively to describe the act of sounding a blast to signal a significant event.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G4537 is used in several key contexts. It is most prominent in the book of Revelation, where a sequence of seven angels sound their trumpets to initiate divine judgments upon the earth Revelation 8:7. For instance, when the fourth angel sounded, a third of the sun, moon, and stars were struck Revelation 8:12. The verb also signals the ultimate climax of God's plan, as at the "last trump... the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible" 1 Corinthians 15:52. In a figurative sense, Jesus uses the term to warn his followers not to sound a trumpet before them when giving alms, as hypocrites do to receive glory from men Matthew 6:2.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of divine proclamation and sound:

G4536 sálpinx: Defined as a trumpet, this is the noun form from which G4537 is derived. It refers to the instrument itself, which accompanies major divine events like the resurrection at the "last trump" 1 Corinthians 15:52 and the descent of the Lord with the "trump of God" 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
G5456 phōnḗ: This word for a tone, sound, or voice is frequently associated with the trumpet's blast. When the seventh angel sounded, "great voices" were heard in heaven proclaiming Christ's reign Revelation 11:15. Its importance is also seen in Revelation, where an angel cries with a loud voice of woe for the earth before the final three angels are yet to sound Revelation 8:13.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4537 is significant, marking pivotal moments in scripture.

Herald of Judgment: In Revelation, the act to sound a trumpet is the direct trigger for apocalyptic judgments. The first angel sounded, and hail and fire were cast upon the earth Revelation 8:7; the fifth angel sounded, and the key to the bottomless pit was given Revelation 9:1.
Signal of Resurrection and Climax: The verb is tied to the ultimate hope of believers. The trumpet will sound to signal the resurrection of the dead and the transformation of the living 1 Corinthians 15:52. The sound of the seventh angel's trumpet marks the moment when "the mystery of God should be finished" Revelation 10:7.
Metaphor for Hypocrisy: In the Gospels, the term serves as a powerful metaphor. To sound a trumpet is to perform religious acts for public acclaim rather than for God, a practice of hypocrites who have already received their reward Matthew 6:2.

Summary

In summary, G4537 is far more than a simple verb for making a noise. It is a term loaded with theological significance, used to announce divine judgment, signal the resurrection of the dead, and proclaim the final victory of Christ's kingdom. From the series of trumpet blasts in Revelation to the figurative warning in Matthew, to sound a trumpet is to mark an event of eternal consequence.

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 12 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 7×
Present Active Infinitive 2×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Singular 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Plural 1×
Future Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".

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

Appears in 12 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Revelation (10 verses); never once in the other 24.

Matthew

1 Corinthians

Revelation

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.