"orichalcum, fine bronze, a factitious metal of which there were several varieties, the white being of the highest repute, or, deep-tinted frankincense, Rev. 1:15; 2:18*"
Definition and meaning
orichalcum, fine bronze, a factitious metal of which there were several varieties, the white being of the highest repute, or, deep-tinted frankincense, Rev. 1:15; 2:18*
In the original Greek the word is written: χαλκολίβανον
Historical context
Domitian required people across the empire to address him as Dominus et Deus — Lord and God. Christians who refused to burn incense before the emperor's image faced economic exclusion and imprisonment. The book was written in apocalyptic imagery that believers would recognize but Roman authorities would not — a letter of resistance written to people being crushed by the most powerful empire on earth.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of chalkolibanon (G5474) across the King James Bible.
And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
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Common questions
Strong's G5474 (chalkolibanon) is a Greek word that means: orichalcum, fine bronze, a factitious metal of which there were several varieties, the white being of the highest repute, or, deep-tinted frankincense, Rev. 1:15; 2:18* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word chalkolibanon (G5474) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5474 is chalkolibanon, a Greek word defined as: orichalcum, fine bronze, a factitious metal of which there were several varieties, the white being of the highest repute, or, deep-tinted frankincense. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
chalkolibanon is a Greek word found in the New Testament.