"to strike or cut with an axe; to behead, Rev. 20:4*"
Definition and meaning
to strike or cut with an axe; to behead, Rev. 20:4*
In the original Greek the word is written: πελεκίζω
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 pelekizo (G3990) across the King James Bible.
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
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Common questions
Strong's G3990 (pelekizo) is a Greek word that means: to strike or cut with an axe; to behead, Rev. 20:4* It appears 1 times in the King James Bible.
The word pelekizo (G3990) appears 1 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3990 is pelekizo, a Greek word defined as: to strike or cut with an axe; to behead, Rev. 20:4*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pelekizo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.