"also spelled πετάομαι, to fly, Rev. 4:7; 8:13; 12:14; 14:6; 19:17*"
Definition and meaning
also spelled πετάομαι, to fly, Rev. 4:7; 8:13; 12:14; 14:6; 19:17*
In the original Greek the word is written: πέτομαι
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 petomai (G4072) across the King James Bible.
And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G4072 (petomai) is a Greek word that means: also spelled πετάομαι, to fly, Rev. 4:7; 8:13; 12:14; 14:6; 19:17* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word petomai (G4072) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4072 is petomai, a Greek word defined as: also spelled πετάομαι, to fly, Rev. 4:7; 8:13; 12:14; 14:6; 19:17*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
petomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.