δράκων

Pronunciation Guide: drah-KOHN (with a rolled ‘r’ and emphasis on the second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1404: The Greek word δράκων (drakōn) refers to a large serpent or dragon in ancient literature. In biblical usage, particularly in Revelation, it symbolizes Satan as the great adversary of God and His people. The term conveys the image of a terrifying, powerful, and malevolent creature that opposes divine purpose. Its appearance in Scripture specifically highlights the cosmic battle between good and evil.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Noun, masculine
• Root Word: From δέρκομαι (derkomai) – “to see clearly” or “to glare”
• Language Origin: Ancient Greek
• Primary Usage: Apocalyptic literature, prophetic symbolism
• Literary Context: Predominantly found in visionary and symbolic passages

δράκων Morphology:

• δράκων (nominative singular) – dragon/serpent
• δράκοντος (genitive singular) – of the dragon/serpent
• δράκοντι (dative singular) – to/for the dragon/serpent
• δράκοντα (accusative singular) – the dragon/serpent (as direct object)
• δράκοντες (nominative plural) – dragons/serpents
• δρακόντων (genitive plural) – of the dragons/serpents

Origin & History

The term δράκων has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it originally referred to any large serpent with keen sight (derived from the verb δέρκομαι, “to see clearly”). In works by Homer, dragons were often depicted as guardian creatures. Herodotus used the term in his “Histories” to describe large serpents of both mythical and real varieties. The word evolved in Greek mythology to represent serpentine monsters that guarded sacred places or treasures, as seen in the stories of the dragon guarding the Golden Fleece in Apollonius of Rhodes’ “Argonautica.”

In the Septuagint (LXX), δράκων appears as a translation for several Hebrew terms, including תַּנִּין (tannin) and לִוְיָתָן (leviathan), creatures often associated with chaos and evil in Hebrew cosmology. For example, in Isaiah 27:1, the Septuagint uses δράκων to translate the Hebrew term for Leviathan, described as “the fleeing serpent, the twisted serpent.” By the time of the New Testament, the word had accumulated layers of mythological and theological significance, making it a powerful symbol for the ultimate spiritual adversary in Revelation.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Mythological Serpent/Dragon – A large, often winged serpentine creature in Greek mythology, frequently associated with guarding treasure or sacred places
• Cosmic Adversary – A symbolic representation of the ultimate evil force opposing God’s kingdom
• Satan Personified – The personal embodiment of the devil in apocalyptic literature
• Chaos Monster – A primordial creature representing disorder and opposition to divine order, similar to ancient Near Eastern mythology

δράκων Translation Options:

• Dragon – Most commonly used in English translations, emphasizing the creature’s monstrous and mythological nature, though potentially carrying medieval European connotations not present in the original
• Serpent – Highlights the connection to Genesis 3 and the identification of the dragon as “that ancient serpent” in Revelation 12:9, maintaining the biblical continuity
• Sea Monster – Appropriate when δράκων appears in contexts related to ancient Near Eastern creation myths where sea monsters represent chaos
• The Adversary – A more interpretive translation that focuses on the symbolic role rather than the physical description, particularly useful in theological contexts

Biblical Usage

The word δράκων appears exclusively in the book of Revelation in the New Testament, occurring 13 times and serving as a key symbol for Satan. Its first appearance in Revelation 12:3 introduces “a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns,” setting the stage for the cosmic battle that unfolds throughout John’s apocalyptic vision. This multi-headed description parallels ancient Near Eastern mythology while being adapted to communicate theological truth about spiritual warfare.

The identification of the dragon with Satan becomes explicit in Revelation 12:9, where John writes, “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.” This connection creates a powerful theological link between the Genesis account of the fall and the ultimate defeat of evil described in Revelation, revealing Satan’s continuous opposition to God’s purposes throughout biblical history.

• “And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon [δράκων] with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.” Revelation 12:3
• “His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon [δράκων] stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.” Revelation 12:4
• “And war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon [δράκων]. And the dragon and his angels fought back.” Revelation 12:7
• “And the great dragon [δράκων] was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Revelation 12:9
• “But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon [δράκων] had poured from his mouth.” Revelation 12:14-16
• “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon [δράκων], that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:1-2

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near Eastern world, dragons and multi-headed serpents frequently appeared in creation myths as representations of chaos that must be subdued by the creator deity. The Babylonian creation epic Enuma Elish features the chaos monster Tiamat, depicted as a sea dragon defeated by Marduk. Similarly, Ugaritic texts describe Baal’s victory over the seven-headed sea monster Lotan (paralleling the biblical Leviathan). John’s use of δράκων in Revelation taps into this widespread cultural imagery but reframes it within monotheistic Jewish-Christian theology.

The seven heads and ten horns of the dragon in Revelation also incorporate imagery from the book of Daniel, particularly Daniel’s vision of the four beasts in Daniel 7. This intentional connection would have resonated deeply with Jewish readers familiar with apocalyptic literature. By presenting Satan as a δράκων, John places the spiritual conflict described in Revelation within the familiar framework of God’s ultimate victory over the forces of chaos and evil—a theme that spans numerous ancient cultures but finds its fulfillment in the Messiah’s triumph.

Theological Significance

The δράκων imagery in Revelation reveals profound theological truths about the nature of spiritual warfare. Satan is portrayed not merely as a tempter or accuser (though he is both), but as a cosmic adversary waging war against God’s purposes and people. The dragon’s attempt to devour the messianic child in Revelation 12:4 echoes historical attempts to thwart God’s redemptive plan, from Pharaoh’s slaughter of Hebrew infants to Herod’s massacre of the innocents in Bethlehem.

Despite the dragon’s fearsome appearance and temporary power, Revelation consistently emphasizes his ultimate defeat. In Revelation 12:7-9, the dragon is cast out of heaven; in Revelation 20:1-3, he is bound for a thousand years; and in Revelation 20:10, he faces eternal judgment. This narrative arc magnificently illustrates יהוה’s sovereignty over all forces of evil and provides assurance that the Messiah’s victory on the cross will ultimately be manifested in the complete restoration of creation. The δράκων symbol thus serves as a powerful reminder that though evil appears monstrous and powerful, it remains subject to God’s authority and destined for defeat.

Personal Application

Understanding the biblical concept of δράκων calls believers to spiritual vigilance. When we recognize that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil (as Paul teaches in Ephesians 6:12), we approach spiritual warfare with both soberness and confidence. The dragon may be powerful, but the Messiah who defeated him is infinitely more so.

The imagery of Revelation’s dragon also offers powerful encouragement to persecuted believers. Just as the early church faced imperial opposition symbolized by the dragon’s earthly agents, believers throughout history have encountered seemingly unstoppable evil forces. The message of Revelation assures us that no matter how fearsome our spiritual adversaries appear, they are already defeated through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11). This truth emboldens us to stand firm in faith, knowing that our participation in God’s kingdom places us on the victorious side of history’s ultimate conflict.

Related Words

• ὄφις (ophis, pronounced OH-fis) – serpent or snake; used of the tempter in Eden and closely connected with δράκων in Revelation where Satan is called “the ancient serpent”; represents cunning deception rather than overwhelming power. See G3789
• θηρίον (thērion, pronounced thay-REE-on) – wild beast or monster; used in Revelation for the beast from the sea who receives power from the dragon; represents earthly manifestations of satanic authority. See G2342
• σατανᾶς (satanas, pronounced sa-ta-NAS) – adversary or accuser; the proper name for the devil which clarifies the identity of the δράκων in Revelation; emphasizes his role as God’s opponent and humanity’s accuser. See G4567
• διάβολος (diabolos, pronounced dee-AH-bo-los) – slanderer or false accuser; another title for Satan that focuses on his tactics rather than his appearance; complements the δράκων imagery by revealing the enemy’s methods. See G1228
• πειράζων (peirazōn, pronounced pay-RAD-zohn) – tempter; participle form of the verb “to tempt/test”; describes Satan’s function of enticing to sin rather than his apocalyptic appearance. See G3985

Did You Know?

• The English word “dragon” derives directly from the Greek δράκων, passing through Latin (draco) and Old French before entering Middle English. While modern fantasy literature has shaped our conception of dragons as fire-breathing creatures with bat-like wings, the original Greek δράκων was more serpentine in nature, aligning with the identification of the dragon and the serpent in Revelation.
• Archaeological evidence suggests that dragon imagery may have been inspired by fossil discoveries of prehistoric creatures. Ancient people finding dinosaur or large marine reptile fossils might have constructed mythologies around such creatures, potentially influencing the widespread appearance of dragon myths across diverse cultures from China to Scandinavia.
• The heavenly battle between Michael and the dragon in Revelation 12 has profoundly influenced Western art and culture. Countless medieval and Renaissance paintings depict this cosmic conflict, with the archangel Michael often portrayed in armor trampling a serpentine δράκων. This image became so iconic that several nations and cities adopted St. Michael slaying the dragon as their emblem, including Moscow, Brussels, and the nation of Portugal.

Remember This

The δράκων of Revelation reveals both the terrible reality of evil and the greater reality of God’s triumph—reminding us that no matter how fearsome our adversary appears, the Lamb who was slain has overcome.