λευκός
leukos
white
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word λευκός (leukos) is defined as "white." It constitutes 25 occurrences in the Bible, indicating its significance in various contexts. The word λευκός is used to describe physical appearance, such as snow, hair, or clothing, but it also carries symbolic meanings. In its range of usage, λευκός is applied to both literal and figurative contexts. It can describe the physical whiteness of objects, like snow (Matthew 28:3), or the white garments worn by angels (Mark 16:5). It can also symbolize purity, innocence, or cleanliness, as seen in the white robes of the redeemed (Revelation 3:4-5, 7:14). The significance of λευκός lies in its association with purity and innocence. Its use in various contexts highlights the importance of these qualities in the biblical narrative. By describing objects, people, or events as white, the biblical authors convey a sense of moral and spiritual cleanliness, underscoring the significance of these qualities in the human experience.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
25 total occurrences across the text
Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.
Matthew 17:2He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
Matthew 28:3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
Mark 9:3His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
Mark 16:5Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed.
Luke 9:29As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling.
John 4:35Don’t you say, ‘There are yet four months until the harvest?’ Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already.
John 20:12and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
Acts 1:10While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,
Revelation 1:14His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
Revelation 1:14His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
Revelation 2:17He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it.
Revelation 3:4Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that didn’t defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
Revelation 3:5He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
Revelation 4:4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads.
Revelation 6:2And behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.
Revelation 6:11A long white robe was given to each of them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, should complete their course.
Revelation 7:9After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
Revelation 7:13One of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and where did they come from?”
Revelation 14:14I looked, and saw a white cloud, and on the cloud one sitting like a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
Revelation 19:11I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war.
Revelation 19:14The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen.
Revelation 19:14The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen.
Revelation 20:11I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. There was found no place for them.