Greek word · G2986

λαμπρός

lampros

shining

Bright, shining, radiant, brilliant. Used of light, stars, clothing, and splendour. For liquids it can also mean clear or limpid (standard lexicons such as LSJ and BDAG list this sense).

Appears 9 times in 9 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

λαμπρός, -ά, -όν

(λάμπω), [in LXX: Tobit 13:11, Wisdom of Solomon 6:12 17:20, Sirach 29:22 33:13 (Sirach 30:25) Sirach 31:23, Ep. Je 60 * ;]

bright, brilliant: ποταμός, Revelation 22:1 (ΕΥ, clear); ἀστήρ, Revelation 22:16; of clothing, brilliant, splendid: Luke 23:11, Acts 10:30, James 2:2-3, Revelation 15:6 18:14 19:8.†

(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 22:1

Range of meaning

Bright, shining, radiant, brilliant. Used of light, stars, clothing, and splendour. For liquids it can also mean clear or limpid (standard lexicons such as LSJ and BDAG list this sense).

Against the English

Most versions say "clear," which captures the transparency. YLT and ESV say "bright," which captures the shine. The Greek holds both: water so pure that light flashes through it.

How it drifted

Not really a drift. "Clear" is a legitimate rendering. It just brings out one side of the word and leaves the brilliance in the background.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Revelation: 15:6 (angels in "pure, bright linen"), 18:14 ("splendid things" of Babylon, now lost), 19:8 (the bride's "bright and pure" fine linen), 22:16 ("the bright morning star"). The Latin Vulgate renders it splendidum, "shining."

From the study of Luke 23:11

Range of meaning

Bright, shining, radiant, gleaming. By extension it means splendid, magnificent or fine (of clothing, estates, fortunes). With clothing it often implies brilliant white or a glossy sheen, but the word itself is about light, not a set colour.

Against the English

KJV/NASB 'gorgeous' (in 1611 this meant showy or splendid); ESV 'splendid'; NIV 'elegant'; BSB 'fine'; WEB 'luxurious'; NLT 'royal'. Each picks up the costliness. Most drop the brightness, and 'royal' commits to an interpretation the Greek does not state.

How it drifted

'Gorgeous' has narrowed in modern English to mean very attractive. Readers also merge this garment with the purple robe of Mark 15:17 and John 19:2, but Luke never mentions purple.

Used elsewhere in the period

James 2:2–3 uses it for the rich man's 'fine clothing'. Acts 10:30 describes an angel 'in bright clothing' (en esthēti lampra). Revelation 15:6 and 19:8 speak of 'bright' linen. Polybius (10.4.8) uses lampra for the brilliant white toga of a Roman candidate for office, and commentators often cite this passage. The Latin Vulgate translates the phrase here as veste alba, 'in a white garment'.

From the study of Revelation 18:14

Range of meaning

Bright, shining, radiant. Used of light, of clear water, and very often of fine, brilliant clothing (Luke 23:11; James 2:2–3). By extension it means splendid, magnificent or showy.

Against the English

KJV “goodly,” WEB “sumptuous,” BSB “splendor,” ESV “splendors.” “Goodly” is now archaic, and the KJV loses the idea of light and gleam completely.

How it drifted

“Goodly” meant handsome or fine in 1611. It now reads as quaint or vague.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Revelation: angels clothed in “pure, bright linen” (15:6). The Bride's clothing is “fine linen, bright and pure,” explained as the righteous deeds of the saints (19:8). The river of life is “bright as crystal” (22:1). Jesus is “the bright morning star” (22:16).

Similar words

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 23:11 λαμπρὰν splendid,

    And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.

    Here: 'Gleaming' or 'brilliant'. The word suggests light and sheen more than a particular colour, though it is often used of white garments. It describes the clothing of the rich, of royalty and of angels. Here it is a costume of mock splendour.

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 10:30 λαμπρᾷ bright

    Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this, the ninth hour. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me

    Here: Shining or radiant, a standard sign of a heavenly being. The same word can also mean expensive and showy (James 2:2), but here the light of heaven is meant.

James · 2

  1. James 2:2 λαμπρᾷ, splendid,

    Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.

    Here: 'Gleaming' clothes: freshly bleached white, or richly dyed and glossy. Only the wealthy could afford clothes like that. They catch the eye as soon as the man walks in.

  2. James 2:3 λαμπρὰν splendid

    If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,”

    Here: Gleaming, brilliant clothing, likely bright white or richly finished. It was costly, conspicuous and a mark of status. It stands in deliberate contrast to the "filthy" (rhyparos) clothes of the poor man in verse 2.

Revelation · 5

  1. Revelation 15:6 λαμπρὸν bright

    And out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in clean and bright linen and girded with golden sashes around their chests.

    Here: Shining or gleaming, the radiance of heavenly beings. It means 'brilliant', which is more than 'white'.

  2. Revelation 18:14 λαμπρὰ splendid things

    And they will say: “The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you; all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again.”

    Here: Gleaming, brilliant things, especially fine clothing and showy display. Revelation keeps this word elsewhere for heavenly things: angels' linen (15:6), the Bride's linen (19:8), the morning star (22:16).

  3. Revelation 19:8 λαμπρὸν bright

    She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.

    Here: Radiant, gleaming. In Revelation the word belongs to heavenly things: angels' linen (15:6), the river of life (22:1), the morning star (22:16). It describes light and splendour, not just the colour white.

  4. Revelation 22:1 λαμπρὸν clear

    Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

    Here: Gleaming and clear together. Elsewhere in Revelation the word describes shining linen (15:6; 19:8) and the "bright morning star" (22:16), so the river sparkles with light as well as being see-through.

  5. Revelation 22:16 λαμπρὸς bright

    “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”

    Here: 'Brilliant.' In Revelation the word is used of the bride's linen (19:8) and the river of life (22:1). It is the shine of the new creation.

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