### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma χιών (chiṓn), Strong's number `{{G5510}}`, refers exclusively to "snow." Its etymological roots are suggested to be akin to the base of χάσμα (chasma, "chasm" or "empty space") or χειμών (cheimōn, "winter" or "storm"), possibly implying concepts of descent, emptiness, or the cold associated with winter. However, in its biblical usage, the primary and singular meaning is the frozen precipitation known as snow, serving primarily as a descriptive element for intense whiteness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term χιών (chiṓn) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Matthew:
* [[Matthew 28:3]]: Describing the angel who descended from heaven at Jesus' tomb, "His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow."
In this singular occurrence, χιών (chiṓn) is used as a superlative comparison for the dazzling whiteness of the angel's raiment. The context is the pivotal moment of Christ's resurrection. The angel's appearance is not merely bright but possesses an unearthly, divine radiance, emphasized by the comparison to both lightning and the pristine, absolute whiteness of snow. This imagery serves to underscore the supernatural nature of the messenger and the profound, pure holiness of the event he announces. The choice of "snow" rather than just "white" (`{{G3022}}`, leukos) suggests an extreme, unblemished purity that transcends human ability to create or comprehend.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words and concepts enrich the understanding of χιών (chiṓn):
* **Whiteness (`{{G3022}}` λευκός, leukos):** This is the general Greek term for "white," frequently used in the New Testament to describe purity, glory, or heavenly beings (e.g., the transfiguration, [[Matthew 17:2]]; the robes of the redeemed, [[Revelation 7:9]]). While χιών (chiṓn) specifies the *type* of whiteness, λευκός (leukos) is the broader category.
* **Winter/Storm (`{{G5494}}` χειμών, cheimōn):** As noted in the etymological suggestion, χιών (chiṓn) may share a root with χειμών (cheimōn), linking snow to the season of winter and its associated cold or storms. This connection, though subtle in the New Testament's use of χιών (chiṓn), highlights its natural origin as a cold, earthly phenomenon, yet elevated to a symbol of divine purity.
* **Purity and Cleansing:** In the Old Testament, snow frequently symbolizes purity and divine cleansing. For instance, [[Psalm 51:7]] states, "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow," and [[Isaiah 1:18]] declares, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." While χιών (chiṓn) is a New Testament term, this established biblical symbolism provides a crucial backdrop for understanding its use in [[Matthew 28:3]]. The angel's snow-white clothing subtly connects to the cleansing power of Christ's triumph over sin and death.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of χιών (chiṓn) in [[Matthew 28:3]] imbues it with profound theological significance within the resurrection narrative:
* **Divine Purity and Holiness:** The absolute whiteness of snow, especially in its pristine, untouched state, serves as a powerful symbol of divine purity and holiness. The angel's clothing, "white as snow," signifies his unblemished nature as a messenger from God, untainted by earthly sin or corruption.
* **Heavenly Radiance and Glory:** The comparison to snow, alongside lightning, emphasizes the supernatural radiance and glory emanating from the divine realm. It is a visual manifestation of God's presence and power breaking into the human sphere, marking the resurrection as an event of cosmic, divine significance.
* **Validation of the Resurrection:** The angel's awe-inspiring appearance, marked by the celestial whiteness of snow, serves as a divine authentication of Jesus' resurrection. The purity and glory associated with the angel underscore the truth and holiness of the empty tomb and the victory over death.
* **Contrasting Sin and Redemption:** Drawing on broader biblical themes, the pure whiteness of snow stands in stark contrast to the stain of sin. In the context of the resurrection, which provides redemption and cleansing, the "snow-white" appearance of the angel subtly echoes the promise of being made pure through Christ's atoning work, transforming scarlet sins to white.
### Summary
The Greek word χιών (chiṓn), Strong's number `{{G5510}}`, precisely denotes "snow." Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Matthew 28:3]] is highly significant, describing the dazzling, "snow-white" clothing of the angel at Christ's empty tomb. This vivid imagery powerfully conveys divine purity, heavenly radiance, and the unblemished holiness of God's messenger. While its direct etymology may hint at concepts of descent or cold, its biblical usage primarily leverages snow's pristine whiteness to symbolize absolute purity and glory, echoing Old Testament themes of cleansing and divine presence. Thus, χιών (chiṓn) serves as a potent visual marker of the supernatural reality and triumphant purity inherent in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
TRV