The Greek word chiliás, represented by G5505, is a term for one thousand. It appears 23 times across 13 unique verses, used to denote large, specific quantities. While its base definition is a literal number, it is frequently employed in scripture to convey a sense of immense scale, particularly in prophetic and apocalyptic contexts.
In the biblical narrative, G5505 is central to the symbolic numbers found in the book of Revelation. It is used to describe the number G706 of the sealed from the tribes of Israel, a group totaling "an hundred and forty and four thousand" Revelation 7:4. This same group is seen again with the Lamb on mount Sion Revelation 14:1. The word also quantifies the heavenly host, whose number is "ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands" Revelation 5:11. Beyond these vast figures, it marks specific counts in historical and parabolic settings, such as the "five thousand" men who believed after hearing the word Acts 4:4 and the king with ten thousand preparing for war Luke 14:31.
Several related words provide context for the scale and measurement associated with chiliás:
- G3461 myriás (a ten-thousand): This word is used alongside G5505 to describe the immeasurable number of angels around the throne, demonstrating an even greater magnitude Revelation 5:11.
- G1540 hekatón (a hundred): This is used as a component in larger numbers, most notably in the "an hundred and forty and four thousand" who were redeemed from the earth Revelation 14:3.
- G1427 dṓdeka (twelve): This number is repeatedly combined with G5505 to specify the "twelve thousand" sealed from each of the individual tribes of Israel Revelation 7:5-8.
- G706 arithmós (a number): This term is often used to introduce a precise count, such as when the number of the sealed is heard and then stated in the thousands Revelation 7:4.
The theological weight of G5505 is primarily seen in its use to articulate divine order and immense quantities.
- Divine Completeness: The sealing of twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes of Israel points to a complete and ordered gathering of God's people Revelation 7:5-8.
- Immeasurable Worship: The phrase "thousands of thousands" helps convey the vastness of the angelic assembly worshipping God, a number beyond human comprehension Revelation 5:11.
- Quantifying Judgment and Growth: The word is used to measure the impact of significant events, from the seven thousand slain in a great earthquake Revelation 11:13 to the growth of the early church to about five thousand believers Acts 4:4.
- Symbolic Proportions: The new city measured at "twelve thousand furlongs" Revelation 21:16 uses the number to establish its grand, perfect, and divinely appointed scale.
In summary, G5505 functions as more than a simple numerical value. It is a building block for some of the most profound symbolic figures in Scripture, especially in Revelation. From defining the precise number of the tribes of Israel to illustrating the boundless heavenly host, chiliás is used to express concepts of completeness, divine scale, and the immense significance of events in God's plan.
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