English · KJV
G5404

φοῖνιξ

phoînix /foy'-nix/ Ask about this word
Rootof uncertain derivation
Meaninga palm-tree
KJV usagepalm (tree).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of phoînix — 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 phoînix, represented by G5404, refers to the palm-tree. It appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, yet its symbolic use is significant. In both instances, it is associated with celebration, victory, and worship.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G5404 is used in two key contexts. On earth, a multitude G3793 took G2983 branches G902 of palm trees G5404 to meet G5222 Jesus, crying Hosanna G5614 and proclaiming him King G935 of Israel G2474 John 12:13. The scene shifts to a heavenly context in Revelation, where a great G4183 multitude that no man G3762 could number G705 from all nations G1484 stood before G1799 the throne G2362 and the Lamb G721 with palms G5404 in their hands G5495 Revelation 7:9.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the use of phoînix:

  • G902 baḯon (branch): A diminutive meaning a palm twig, this word is used to specify that the crowds carried "branches of palm trees" during Christ's triumphal entry John 12:13.
  • G5614 hōsanná (hosanna): This exclamation of adoration was cried G2896 by the people waving palm branches, directly linking G5404 to an act of praise and acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord John 12:13.
  • G4749 stolḗ (long robe): The redeemed multitude holding palms G5404 are also clothed G4016 in white G3022 robes G4749, symbolizing their purification and victory before God Revelation 7:9.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G5404 is centered on themes of victory and worship.

  • Triumphant Welcome: The use of palms G5404 by the crowd in Jerusalem is an act of honoring Jesus as a victorious and welcome King G935, a public celebration of his arrival John 12:13.
  • Victory of the Redeemed: In heaven, palms are in the hands G5495 of a multitude G3793 from all G3956 nations G1484, kindreds, and peoples. This signifies that the victory celebrated is not for one group but for all who stand before G1799 the throne G2362 Revelation 7:9.
  • Eternal Worship: The holding of palms is concurrent with the act of crying out in worship to God and the Lamb G721. This establishes the palm as an emblem of everlasting praise in the presence of God Revelation 7:9-10.

Summary

In summary, phoînix G5404 is more than just a tree; it is a symbol of triumphant praise. It connects the earthly acknowledgment of Christ's kingship with the eternal celebration of the redeemed in heaven. Its appearances, though few, powerfully illustrate a journey from the cries of Hosanna G5614 on the road to Jerusalem to the final victory worship before G1799 the divine throne G2362.

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 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Genitive Plural Masculine 1×
  • Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine 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.

G3793 ὄχλος from a derivative of ἔχω (meaning a vehicle); a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a cla G2983 λαμβάνω a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applicati G902 βαΐον a diminutive of a derivative probably of the base of βάσις; a palm twig (as going out far):--branch. G5222 ὑπάντησις from ὑπαντάω; an encounter or concurrence (with εἰς for infinitive, in order to fall in with):--meeting. G5614 ὡσαννά of Hebrew origin (יָשַׁע and נָא); oh save!; hosanna (i.e. hoshia-na), an exclamation of adoration:--hosanna. G935 βασιλεύς probably from βάσις (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

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 2 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in John and Revelation (1 verse each); never once in the other 25.

1
John
1
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.