"strong, mighty, robust, Mt. 12:29; Lk. 11:21; powerful, mighty, 1 Cor. 1:27; 4:10; 1 Jn. 2:14; strong, fortified, Rev. 18:10; vehement, Mt. 14:20; energetic, 2 Cor. 10:10; sure, firm, Heb. 6:18"
Definition and meaning
strong, mighty, robust, Mt. 12:29; Lk. 11:21; powerful, mighty, 1 Cor. 1:27; 4:10; 1 Jn. 2:14; strong, fortified, Rev. 18:10; vehement, Mt. 14:20; energetic, 2 Cor. 10:10; sure, firm, Heb. 6:18
In the original Greek the word is written: ἰσχυρός
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
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 ischuros (G2478) across the King James Bible.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
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Common questions
Strong's G2478 (ischuros) is a Greek word that means: strong, mighty, robust, Mt. 12:29; Lk. 11:21; powerful, mighty, 1 Cor. 1:27; 4:10; 1 Jn. 2:14; strong, fortified, Rev. 18:10; vehement, Mt. 14:20; energetic, 2 Cor. 10:10; sure, firm, Heb. 6:18 It appears 24 times in the King James Bible.
The word ischuros (G2478) appears 24 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2478 is ischuros, a Greek word defined as: strong, mighty, robust, Mt. 12:29; Lk. 11:21; powerful, mighty, 1 Cor. 1:27; 4:10; 1 Jn. 2:14; strong, fortified, Rev. 18:10; vehement, Mt. 14:20; ene. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ischuros is a Greek word found in the New Testament.