Greek word · G5322

φανός

phanos

torch

From the verb meaning 'to shine'. In earlier Attic Greek it meant a torch. In later common Greek it came to mean a lantern: a lamp or flame inside a protective case of horn, clay or similar material.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

φανός, -οῦ, ὁ

(φαίνω),

a torch or lantern (see Rutherford, NPhr., 131 f.): John 18:3.†

SYN.: see: λαμπάς (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 John 18:3

Range of meaning

From the verb meaning 'to shine'. In earlier Attic Greek it meant a torch. In later common Greek it came to mean a lantern: a lamp or flame inside a protective case of horn, clay or similar material. The grammarian Phrynichus (2nd century AD) objected to this later usage, which shows it was ordinary in his day.

Against the English

KJV, BSB and WEB render 'lanterns'. YLT renders 'torches' and puts 'lamps' second for the other word. The supplied lexicon gloss 'torch' reflects the older sense. 'Lantern' fits the New Testament period and this context.

Used elsewhere in the period

Found here only in the New Testament. Lanterns of terracotta and of metal with horn panes are known from the Roman period. Soldiers on night duty used them.

Where it appears

John · 1

  1. John 18:3 φανῶν lanterns

    So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.

    Here: In Greek of this period, an enclosed lantern that protected the flame from wind. It goes with the torches listed next.

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