English · KJV
G4992

σωτήριον

sōtḗrion /so-tay'-ree-on/ Ask about this word
Meaningneuter of the same as σωτηρία as (properly, concretely) noun; defender or (by implication) defence
KJV usagesalvation.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of sōtḗrion — 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 sōtḗrion, represented by G4992, refers to the concrete reality of salvation, often as a defender or a defense. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. Rather than an abstract concept, G4992 denotes something tangible and manifest that provides deliverance and protection.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G4992 is presented as a visible and proclaimed reality. It is something that can be seen with one's own eyes G3788, a promise fulfilled when Simeon declares he has seen God's salvation Luke 2:30. This visibility is extended to all humanity, with the prophecy that "all flesh G4561 shall see the salvation of God" Luke 3:6. It is also described as a divine provision that is actively sent G649 to the Gentiles G1484 Acts 28:28 and as a piece of spiritual armor, "the helmet of salvation" Ephesians 6:17, which believers are to take G1209.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the nature of G4992 as a tangible deliverance:

  • G1492 eídō (properly, to see; by implication, to know): This word underscores that salvation is a perceptible reality. It is used when Simeon exclaims that his eyes "have seen thy salvation" Luke 2:30.
  • G649 apostéllō (set apart, to send out): This emphasizes that salvation is not a passive state but a divine mission from God to humanity. It is declared that the salvation of God is "sent unto the Gentiles" Acts 28:28.
  • G4030 perikephalaía (a helmet): This term illustrates the defensive quality of salvation. Believers are exhorted to take the "helmet of salvation" G4992 as part of their spiritual armor Ephesians 6:17.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4992 is centered on the manifestation and application of God's saving work.

  • A Tangible Revelation: Salvation is not an abstract hope but a revealed reality. The grace G5485 of God G2316 that brings salvation G4992 has appeared G2014 to all men G444 Titus 2:11. It is something that can be seen by all flesh G4561 Luke 3:6.
  • A Proclaimed Mission: God's salvation is actively sent out. Paul makes it known G1110 that this salvation G4992 is sent G649 to the Gentiles G1484, who will in turn hear G191 it Acts 28:28.
  • A Spiritual Defense: G4992 functions as a vital protection for the believer. It is described as the helmet G4030 of salvation G4992, which, along with the sword G3162 of the Spirit G4151, equips a person for spiritual conflict Ephesians 6:17.

Summary

In summary, G4992 presents salvation not as a mere concept, but as a concrete, observable, and defensive gift from God. It is a reality that has appeared G2014 in the world, a message that is sent G649 to all nations, and a helmet G4030 that protects the believer. The word sōtḗrion thus captures the tangible and active nature of God's saving power.

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 noun across 50 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Genitive Singular Feminine 20×
  • Accusative Singular Feminine 17×
  • Nominative Singular Feminine 9×
  • Accusative Singular Neuter 2×
  • Genitive Singular Neuter 1×
  • Nominative Singular Neuter 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
Neuter
Neuter grammatical gender.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G3788 ὀφθαλμός from ὀπτάνομαι; the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-g G4561 σάρξ probably from the base of σαρόω; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (b G649 ἀποστέλλω from ἀπό and στέλλω; set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively:--p G1484 ἔθνος probably from ἔθω; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by impli G1209 δέχομαι middle voice of a primary verb; to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively):--accept, receive, take. G1492 εἴδω a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; prop

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 5 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke (2 verses); never once in the other 23.

2
Luke
1
Acts
1
Ephesians
1
Titus

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.