### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective *chrýseos* (`{{G5552}}`) is directly derived from the noun *chrysos* (`{{G5553}}`), which means "gold." Consequently, its core meaning is "made of gold" or "golden." It functions primarily as a descriptive adjective, indicating the material composition of an object. Beyond this literal sense, the inherent qualities of gold—its preciousness, luster, malleability, and resistance to tarnish—imbue *chrýseos* with secondary semantic nuances. These include connotations of purity, enduring value, divine splendor, royalty, and incorruptibility. The term inherently elevates the object it describes, suggesting a status of high honor, beauty, and permanence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
*Chrýseos* (`{{G5552}}`) appears in the New Testament predominantly within the apocalyptic imagery of the book of Revelation, where it contributes significantly to the portrayal of heavenly realities and divine attributes.
* **[[Revelation 1:13]]**: In the vision of the glorified Christ, John sees "one like a son of man" wearing a "golden sash" (ζώνην χρυσεᾶν) around His chest. This golden sash signifies Christ's supreme authority, His royal dignity, and His high priestly role, all imbued with divine splendor.
* **[[Revelation 4:4]]**: Describing the twenty-four elders around God's throne, it is stated that "on their heads were golden crowns" (στεφάνους χρυσοῦς). These crowns symbolize victory, kingship, and eternal reward, reflecting their participation in Christ's reign and their honored status in God's presence.
* **[[Revelation 9:7]]**: In the description of the locusts emerging from the abyss, their appearance is likened to horses prepared for battle, and "on their heads were something like golden crowns" (ὡς στεφάνοι χρυσοῖ). Here, the "golden crowns" are not indicative of true glory but rather a deceptive semblance of authority or a mockery of royalty, highlighting their divinely permitted, yet destructive, power.
* **[[Revelation 15:6]]**: The seven angels who come out of the temple, bearing the seven last plagues, are described as "clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes" (ζώνας χρυσοῦς) around their chests. Similar to Christ's sash, this signifies their divine commission, purity, and the authoritative nature of the judgments they are about to execute.
* While *chrýseos* itself is not used in the descriptions of the New Jerusalem in [[Revelation 21:18]] and [[Revelation 21:21]], the pervasive use of its root, *chrysos* (`{{G5553}}`), to describe the city's walls and streets as "pure gold" (χρυσίον καθαρὸν) underscores the "golden" nature of the heavenly city, emphasizing its divine purity, imperishable quality, and unparalleled glory. The adjective *chrýseos* would be the natural descriptor for such a "golden" city.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **χρυσός (chrysos, `{{G5553}}`):** The primary noun meaning "gold." *Chrýseos* (`{{G5552}}`) is the adjectival form, describing something "made of gold." The two are inextricably linked, with *chrýseos* defining the quality derived from *chrysos*.
* **Τίμιος (timios, `{{G5093}}`):** "Precious, valuable, honored." Gold, and therefore objects described as *chrýseos*, are inherently *timios*. This connection highlights the immense value and esteem associated with golden items in both earthly and heavenly contexts.
* **Καλός (kalos, `{{G2570}}`):** "Good, beautiful, noble." Golden objects are often considered *kalos* in their aesthetic appeal and symbolic significance, reflecting divine beauty and perfection.
* **Δόξα (doxa, `{{G1391}}`):** "Glory, splendor, majesty." Gold is a recurring biblical symbol of divine glory and the splendor of God's presence. Objects described as *chrýseos* often participate in this symbolic representation of *doxa*, signifying something glorious and majestic.
* **Purity and Refinement:** In the Old Testament, gold is frequently associated with purity, often refined through fire (e.g., [[Psalm 66:10]], [[Proverbs 17:3]]). This concept extends to the New Testament, where the "golden" nature of heavenly things implies absolute purity, incorruptibility, and divine holiness, cleansed of all imperfection.
### Theological Significance
The use of *chrýseos* (`{{G5552}}`) in the New Testament, especially within Revelation, carries profound theological weight, serving as a powerful descriptor for divine realities:
1. **Divine Glory and Majesty:** Gold is consistently employed as a preeminent symbol of God's transcendent glory, majesty, and holiness. Objects described as *chrýseos* in heavenly visions (e.g., golden sashes, crowns) signify the divine nature, supreme authority, and resplendent glory of God, Christ, and those intimately associated with His throne.
2. **Purity and Incorruptibility:** Gold's inherent resistance to decay and tarnish makes it an ideal symbol for the eternal, unblemished, and incorruptible nature of God and the heavenly realm. The "golden" quality of heavenly objects and the New Jerusalem points to their absolute purity, untainted by sin or decay, and their eternal permanence.
3. **Ultimate Value and Preciousness:** As the most valuable metal in the ancient world, gold represents ultimate worth. Its application to divine attributes and heavenly objects emphasizes the inestimable value of God's presence, the eternal kingdom, and the rewards bestowed upon the faithful.
4. **Royal Authority and Priestly Dignity:** Golden sashes and crowns are insignia of royalty and priesthood. Christ's golden sash ([[Revelation 1:13]]) underscores His supreme kingship and His eternal high priestly office. The elders' golden crowns ([[Revelation 4:4]]) signify their royal status as co-heirs with Christ and their priestly access to God's presence.
5. **Heavenly Reality and Transcendence:** The pervasive "golden" imagery in Revelation serves to paint a vivid, yet transcendent, picture of the new heavens and new earth. It describes a material reality that, while understood by human experience, is elevated to represent divine perfection, the ultimate dwelling place of God with humanity, and a realm of unparalleled beauty and holiness.
### Summary
*Chrýseos* (`{{G5552}}`) is an adjective meaning "made of gold" or "golden," derived from the Greek noun *chrysos* (`{{G5553}}`). While its literal meaning is descriptive of material composition, its use in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Revelation, elevates it to a profound symbolic level. It consistently serves to denote **divine glory, majesty, purity, incorruptibility, and ultimate value**. Objects described as *chrýseos*—such as the sashes of Christ and angels, the crowns of the elders, and the implied nature of the New Jerusalem—function as powerful visual metaphors. They communicate the transcendent nature of God, the exalted status of Christ, and the eternal, perfect realities of His kingdom, underscoring the divine origin, imperishable beauty, and immeasurable preciousness of God's presence and His promises.
TRV