UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: a group of a thousand

Semantic entry: 60.80

Semantic domains: Number

Subdomains: Pair, Group [Numbered Collectives]

Notes: Normally, however, ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν is simply translated as ‘with ten thousand soldiers.’|In RV REV 5:11 · LV REV 5:11 · Read together REV 5:11 the implication is that each group consists of a thousand each, but the expression ‘thousands upon thousands’ is really a way of emphasizing the enormous number. In a number of languages the equivalent would be ‘millions’ or ‘an exceedingly large number.’