UBS Greek Dictionary Article

Notes: It would also be possible to classify ἶρις rainbow or halo as being an event rather than an object, but in view of the relatively fixed Gestalt of this phenomenon, it is probably more satisfactory from the standpoint of an emic classification to regard ἶρις as an object.

Form 1

Part of speech: noun, f.

Inflections: ἶρις; -ιδος

Sense 1: rainbow or halo

Semantic entry: 1.38

Semantic domains: Geographical Objects and Features

Subdomains: Atmospheric Objects

Definition: a circular or semicircular band of light, whether colored or not{N:001}

Notes: In OET REV 4:3 and OET REV 10:1 (the only occurrences of ἶρις in the NT) the reference may be either to a rainbow or to a halo. The meaning of ‘rainbow’ may be expressed in some languages as ‘a bow of light’ or ‘a curve of light’ or even ‘a ribbon of light.’ The meaning of ‘halo’ is usually expressed as ‘a circle of light’ or ‘a wreath of light’ or ‘a band of light encircling,’ followed by the object which the band of light encircles.

Show passage in OET: REV 4:3

OET-RV REV 4:3

3 The one sitting there sparkled like jewels, and an emerald-looking rainbow encircled the throne.

OET-LV REV 4:3

3 and the one sitting was similar in _appearance to_a_stone, jasper and sardius, and a_rainbow around the throne was similar in _appearance to_an_emerald.

Show passage in OET: REV 10:1

OET-RV REV 10:1

10 Then in the vision I saw another powerful messenger coming down from heaven wrapped in a cloud and with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun and his feet were like pillars of fire,

OET-LV REV 10:1

10 And I _saw another messenger mighty, coming _down out _of the heaven, having _been _clothed in_a_cloud, and the rainbow on the head of _him, and the face of _him like the sun, and the feet of _him like pillars of _fire,

Jump to OET REV 4:3 section.

Jump to OET REV 10:1 section.

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

ἶρις

Form 1

Sense 1: rainbow or halo