"a killing, slaughter, murder, Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:21; 15:7"
Definition and meaning
a killing, slaughter, murder, Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:21; 15:7
In the original Greek the word is written: φόνος
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 phonos (G5408) across the King James Bible.
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
(Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
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 G5408 (phonos) is a Greek word that means: a killing, slaughter, murder, Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:21; 15:7 It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word phonos (G5408) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5408 is phonos, a Greek word defined as: a killing, slaughter, murder, Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:21; 15:7. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
phonos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.