Greek word · G2768

κέρας

keras

horn

A literal animal horn. Taken over from Hebrew qeren, a symbol of strength, might, and royal power ('he will exalt the horn of his anointed', 1 Samuel 2:10).

Appears 11 times in 10 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 24, 2026

What it means

κέρας, -ατος

(pl. not irreg. as in Attic), τό, [in LXX chiefly for קָרַן ;]

a horn: Revelation 5:6 12:3 13:1, 11 17:3, 7 17:12, 16; of the projections at the corners of the altar (Exodus 29:12, al.): Revelation 9:13. Metaphorical, as symbol of strength, κ. σωτηρίας (cf. Psalms 18:3, al.): Luke 1:69.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Revelation 12:3

Range of meaning: A literal animal horn. Taken over from Hebrew qeren, a symbol of strength, might, and royal power ('he will exalt the horn of his anointed', 1 Samuel 2:10).
Against the English: English readers may take 'horns' as just a scary feature. In biblical imagery horns are a language of power and kingship.
Used elsewhere in the period: Daniel 7:7–8, 24: the fourth beast 'had ten horns… the ten horns are ten kings'. The Lamb has seven horns (Revelation 5:6). Revelation 17:12 says outright 'the ten horns you saw are ten kings'. 1 Enoch's Animal Apocalypse (chapters 85–90) also uses horns for leaders.

From the study of Revelation 13:1

Range of meaning: Animal horn. Following Hebrew qeren, it is a symbol of strength, might and royal or military power ('he will exalt the horn of his anointed', 1 Sam 2:10; Ps 75:10).
Against the English: Modern readers may picture a devil's horns or something merely monstrous. A first-century Jewish reader heard 'power' and 'kings'.
How it drifted: Later Christian art and folklore gave the devil horns, so horns came to suggest evil as such rather than power.
Used elsewhere in the period: In Daniel 7:7–8 and 7:24 the fourth beast's ten horns are 'ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom'. In 1 Enoch 90:9 horns stand for rulers and warriors among the animal figures. Revelation 5:6 gives the Lamb seven horns, and 17:12 explains the beast's ten horns as 'ten kings'.

From the study of Luke 1:69

Range of meaning: Literally, the horn of an animal. Figuratively, and especially in Hebrew-shaped Greek, it means strength, power and the ability to win. It is often royal power in particular, and sometimes a king himself. It translates Hebrew qeren, which covers the same ground: an animal's horn, a horn-shaped container for oil (1 Samuel 16:1, 13), the corner projections of the altar, and symbolic 'horns' standing for strength or for kings.
Against the English: Every major literal English version keeps 'horn.' That is faithful, but today's reader is likely to picture a musical instrument or a horn of plenty. The NLT ('a mighty Savior') and the NRSV ('a mighty savior') turn the metaphor into what it means. They gain clarity but lose the deliberate echo of the Psalms.
How it drifted: In modern English 'horn' mostly means a brass instrument or a car horn. The biblical picture of a bull or wild ox lowering its horns to charge no longer comes to mind on its own.
Used elsewhere in the period: Psalm 18:2 / 2 Samuel 22:3: David calls God 'the horn of my salvation' (Hebrew qeren yish'i; Greek Old Testament [LXX] Ps 17:3 keras sōtērias mou). This is the exact phrase Luke uses.

1 Samuel 2:10: Hannah's song ends 'he will exalt the horn of his anointed' (LXX keras christou autou). Hannah's song shapes both of Luke's birth hymns.

Psalm 132:17 (LXX 131:17): 'There I will make a horn sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.' This is perhaps the closest background to Luke's line.

Ezekiel 29:21: 'I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel.'

Deuteronomy 33:17: Joseph's 'horns are the horns of a wild ox; with them he gores the peoples.' This is the animal picture behind the metaphor.

Daniel 7–8; Zechariah 1:18–21; 1 Enoch 90:9: horns stand for kings or ruling powers.

Hebrew Sirach 51:12 (an extra litany found only in the Hebrew manuscript): 'Give thanks to him who makes a horn sprout for the house of David.' This is strikingly close to Luke, though it is uncertain when the litany was written.

The Amidah, the later Jewish daily prayer (15th blessing, Babylonian form): 'Cause the shoot of David your servant to sprout… and let his horn be exalted by your salvation.' Its fixed wording comes after the New Testament, but it shows how lasting this cluster of words was.

Where it appears

Luke · 1

Luke 1:69 κέρας a horn

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,

Here: The horn of a strong animal such as the wild ox. It was a stock biblical picture for power, and especially for a king's power to fight and win. Here it stands for a mighty royal deliverer.

Revelation · 10

Revelation 5:6 κέρατα horns

Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Here: In Israel's imagery a horn stands for strength and royal power (Deut 33:17; Ps 89:17; Dan 7–8). This is no defenseless lamb.
Revelation 9:13 κεράτων horns

Then the sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God

Here: The horn-shaped projections at the corners of the altar, not a musical horn. They were the holiest points of the altar: atoning blood was put on them, and fugitives grabbed them to claim protection.
Revelation 12:3 κέρατα horns

Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads.

Here: In Hebrew imagery a horn stands for strength and royal power. It recalls Daniel's fourth beast (Daniel 7:7, 24).
Revelation 13:1 κέρατα κεράτων horns

Then I saw a beast with ten horns and seven heads rising out of the sea. There were ten royal crowns on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.

Here: In Hebrew imagery a horn means power, especially royal and military power. Daniel's horns are kings (Dan 7:24), and so are these (Rev 17:12).
Revelation 13:11 κέρατα horns

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon.

Here: In biblical imagery horns stand for power and might. The sea beast has ten horns (13:1) and the Lamb has seven (5:6). This beast has only two.
Revelation 17:3 κέρατα horns

And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.

Here: "Horns." In biblical imagery a horn stands for power and strength, and especially for a king (Dan 7:24). They are explained in 17:12 as ten kings.
Revelation 17:7 κέρατα.¶ horns.

“Why are you so amazed?” said the angel. “I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns.

Here: In biblical imagery a horn means strength, and so a king or a royal power. Here the horns are rulers allied with the beast (17:12–14).
Revelation 17:12 κέρατα horns

The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast.

Here: Horns of the beast. In biblical imagery a horn stands for strength and ruling power, and in Daniel it is decoded as a king.
Revelation 17:16 κέρατα horns

And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.

Here: A horn is a biblical picture of power and of the ruler who holds it. Verse 12 has already said these horns are ten kings who rule for "one hour" alongside the beast.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.