"a bowl, shallow cup, Rev. 5:8; 15:7; 16:1, 2, 3, 4"
Definition and meaning
a bowl, shallow cup, Rev. 5:8; 15:7; 16:1, 2, 3, 4
In the original Greek the word is written: φιάλη
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 phiale (G5357) across the King James Bible.
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
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 G5357 (phiale) is a Greek word that means: a bowl, shallow cup, Rev. 5:8; 15:7; 16:1, 2, 3, 4 It appears 12 times in the King James Bible.
The word phiale (G5357) appears 12 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5357 is phiale, a Greek word defined as: a bowl, shallow cup, Rev. 5:8; 15:7; 16:1, 2, 3, 4. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
phiale is a Greek word found in the New Testament.