Epithets: A Window into the Radiant Splendor of Yeshua Messiah

A whole world of ‘figures of speech’ is employed in the Book of Revelation. A figure of speech is a literary device used to enhance the meaning of words beyond their literal meaning. They creatively grab your attention by evoking emotion, adding richness, color, depth, or painting vivid imagery. One of the more significant figures of speech used in the Book of Revelation is epithets. They are one of the most penetrating, potent, and prophetic literary tools in the whole of the Bible. Have you noticed them? If not, you’re walking past some of the most spectacular windows into the radiant splendor of Yeshua Messiah seen in the Bible. 

Understanding Epithets

Simply put, epithets are ‘nicknames.’ The word epithet (EP-uh-thet) comes from the Greek epitheton, meaning “added” or “attributed.” However, epithets are more than just some ‘add on’ nicknames like ‘CJ,’ which are merely the initials for Christopher John, or ‘Billy,’ which is simply short for William. An epithet is a special type of descriptive nickname used to highlight a particular attribute, characteristic, or quality of the person it refers to. Like calling your fearless friend ‘Super Man’ or referring to a dominant female as ‘Queen Bee.’

In a way, you can liken an epithet to an X-ray that allows you to peer beyond the surface to see into the very heart and essence of who or what they’re describing. That’s right! Epithets can be used for more than just people, but places too! Like calling Chicago “The Windy City” to describe more than the weather but the city’s boastful and long-winded politicians or calling New York “The Big Apple,” which conveys its significance and influence, often associated with opportunity, ambition, and maybe even a little temptation (although the apple has long been wrongly attributed to the fall of Adam and Eve).

Epithets can also be used for things, such as objects (e.g., ‘Rod of God’ for Moses staff), settings (e.g., ‘time of trouble’ for intense distress), concepts (e.g., ‘sickbed’ for divine affliction), events (e.g., ‘The Passover’ for the night Yahweh spared the Israelites and delivered them from Egypt), time periods (e.g., ‘The Great Tribulation’ for the final 3½ years of natural history), and even animals! Like referring to dogs as ‘man’s best friend,’ which instantly recalls all the qualities you’d expect to find in a ‘best friend,’ such as loyalty, devotion, protection, support, and love.

Throughout the Bible, epithets can come in the form of adjectives, such as used in “Good Shepherd” (Jn. 10:11), “Righteous Judge” (2Ti. 4:8), or “Merciful and Faithful High Priest” (He. 2:17). These descriptive epithets are all used to emphasize various attributes, characteristics, and qualities of the LORD. They instantly highlight strategic qualities crucial to understanding His character and relevant to the immediate context and the overall biblical narrative.

Epithets can also come in the form of phrases, such as the “salt of the earth” (Mt. 5:13), which is used to describe someone of exceptional character or a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” (Mt. 7:15), emphasizing those who appear harmless on the outside but have deceptively dangerous motives hidden beneath the surface.

Types of Epithets

Various types of epithets are used in epic poetry and historical and biblical literature. These include major categories such as argumentative, fixed, kenning, occasional, and transfer epithets, as well as minor categories such as attributive, chronographic, descriptive, ethnographic, geographic, honorific, metaphorical, ornamental, occupational, relational, and more. However, for the sake of this article, I’d like to examine only the two most common types of major epithets used in Scripture—the occasional and the fixed epithet.

A fixed epithet is a descriptive term or phrase that is consistently used to characterize a particular person, place, or thing throughout a literary work or cultural tradition. Unlike other types of epithets, which may vary or change depending on context or interpretation, fixed epithets are firmly established and remain constant.

Throughout the Bible, fixed epithets are used for all three Persons of the Godhead to emphasize key attributes or qualities associated with their specific role in redemptive history and throughout the biblical narrative.

• “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Ex. 3:6) is used numerous times in the Bible, emphasizing the continuity of Yahweh’s covenantal relationship with the patriarchs of Israel.
• “Ancient of Days” (Da. 7:9, 13, 22) is another fixed epithet used specifically for the Father in the Book of Daniel, emphasizing His eternal existence and wisdom.
• “Lamb of God” (Jn. 1:29) is used exclusively for Yeshua Messiah in the Gospel of John and throughout the Book of Revelation to describe His humility, submission to the Father’s will, and most notably, His sacrificial role in atoning for the sins of humanity.
• “Helper” (Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7) is used by Yeshua to describe the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John. This fixed epithet underscores the Holy Spirit’s role in assisting and empowering the people of God in times of need.

An occasional epithet is a descriptive term or phrase used infrequently or sporadically within a text or body of literature. Unlike fixed epithets, which are repeated throughout a literary work to consistently characterize a person, place, or thing in the same way each time, occasional epithets are strategically used to serve a specific descriptive purpose within a particular context. However, like fixed epithets, they are still used to emphasize a specific characteristic, quality, or attribute of the person, place, or thing being described. They add nuance, provide depth, or enrich the description in a specific instance without being consistently repeated throughout the text.

Throughout the Scriptures, occasional epithets are strategically used for all three Persons of the Godhead to emphasize key attributes or qualities relevant to the immediate context of the narrative and their specific role in redemptive history.

• “Father of Glory” (Ep. 1:17) is used only one time in the Book of Ephesians in context to Paul’s prayer for greater wisdom and revelation. This descriptive epithet emphasizes the Father’s role as the ultimate source and embodiment of all light, wisdom, and revelation.
• “Man of Sorrows” (Is. 53:3) is an occasional epithet used for Yeshua only once in the Book of Isaiah in context to His role as the suffering servant. It highlights His identification with human suffering as One who willingly experienced deep anguish, sorrow, and grief, particularly in His sacrificial death on the cross.
• “Spirit of Holiness” (Ro. 1:4) is used only one time in the Book of Romans as a descriptive epithet for the Holy Spirit in the context of raising Yeshua Messiah from the dead. This term emphasizes the Spirit’s essential nature as holy, pure, and powerful, underscoring His role in sanctifying believers and conforming them to the image of Yeshua.

So, regardless of whether the epithet is fixed or occasional, it is still a descriptive term or phrase that is used like a ‘nickname’ to strategically highlight a particular characteristic or quality of a person, place, or thing that is relevant to the literary work or in this case, the biblical narrative.

Purpose of Epithets

Epithets are penetrating. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, an epithet is a special type of descriptive nickname used to highlight a particular attribute, characteristic, or quality of the person it refers to. Therefore, one of their primary purposes is to add clarity, depth, and richness to who or what they’re describing. Comparable to an X-ray, an epithet penetrates beyond the superficial exterior to reveal the very heart and essence hidden below the surface. For example, calling Yeshua “He who has eyes like a flame of fire” (Re. 2:18) not only describes His physical appearance in John’s introductory vision in the Book of Revelation (Re. 1:9-20) but reveals much about His nature as an all-consuming fire of love (He. 12:29; 1Jn. 4:8), His emotions as a Bridegroom with burning desire for His people (So. 8:6; Jn. 17:24), and His personality as One with fiery zeal to destroy evil and establish His Father’s will on Earth as it is in Heaven (Is. 42:4, 13; Re. 19:11-16).

Epithets are potent. They serve as a type of ‘shorthand’ for the writer. In just a few words, epithets are able to communicate a lot of robust detail. Like using “Faithful Witness” for Yeshua (Re. 1:5). This epithet conveys quite a bit of information about His character and the nature of His mission without needing a lengthy narrative to describe it all.

Epithets are prophetic. In many cases, epithets contribute to foreshadowing the future role and significance of a person, place, or thing, like calling Yeshua “The Lamb of God” (Jn. 1:29) at the onset of His earthly ministry. This epithet not only depicted His humility and obedience to the Father’s will in the present but prophetically foreshadowed His future sacrificial role as the Passover Lamb who would atone for the sins of humanity. A strategically placed epithet can tip you off to a future event (as in the last example) or a hidden use for something, like calling the Word of God “the sword of the Spirit” (Ep. 6:17), emphasizing its power to penetrate the thoughts and intentions of the heart, as well as its effectiveness in spiritual warfare. An epithet may also hint at a quality yet unseen by giving you a prophetic view into the future, such as when the Messenger of the LORD called Gideon a “mighty man of valor” (Jg. 6:12) while he was yet hiding in fear from the Midianites.

Additionally, epithets can aid in memorization by creating memorable phrases, make things clearer and easier to understand by emphasizing key qualities that are crucial to their essence, contribute to the overall mood of the story with vivid imagery and depth, help readers engage more deeply by evoking an emotional connection, add to the overall qualities of the characters, setting, or concepts within the narrative, and even reflect the cultural or historical context by revealing the beliefs, values, and societal norms during the time of the writing.  

Identifying Epithets

So, now that you know what an epithet is and the purpose behind using them, how do you find them? Well, it might be easier than you think, but it does take a little time if you’re new at it!

First, remember that epithets are a descriptive term used to characterize a person, place, or thing. They’re often repeated and connected to the character or object they describe. So, if you see a particular characteristic being repeated for the same person, like “Male Child” (Re. 12:2, 4, 5 [2x], 13) used five times to describe Yeshua in the Book of Revelation, you’ve more than likely found an epithet.

Next, keep in mind that epithets can be included with a name or title. For example, “Prince of Peace” (Is. 9:6) is an epithet for Yeshua in the Book of Isaiah. It emphasizes His role in bringing peace and reconciling the relationship between God and man. In the Book of Psalms, “King of Glory” (Ps. 24:7, 8, 9, 10) is a descriptive epithet used for Yeshua to emphasize the awe-inspiring nature of His majestic beauty and power.

Remember that epithets can be used for places and things, as well as for people. And while they can reveal positive qualities, such as referring to Jerusalem as “The Holy City” (Is. 52:1; Re. 11:2) or “The City of the Great King” (Ps. 48:2) to emphasize Jerusalem’s unique significance as the set-apart city chosen as Yahweh’s eternal dwelling place, epithets may also highlight negative characteristics as well. Like referring to Babylon as “The Great Harlot” (Re. 17:1), which conveys the city’s spiritual adultery, idolatry, and moral corruption.

Also, don’t forget that epithets are more than just decorative adjectives and ornamental phrases. They’re strategic literary tools used to highlight specific characteristics and qualities that might yet be unseen but vital to understanding the person, place, or thing they are describing. They help shape the biblical narrative with well-placed descriptors and enrich our understanding of the characters and the setting in which they’re found.

Epithets in the Book of Revelation

Most importantly, because the Book of Revelation was divinely Authored, no figures of speech are written without purpose. Therefore, the epithets found throughout the Book of Revelation are strategically meant to give us the Father’s perspective of the people, places, and things they describe. Undoubtedly, any interpretation of the book lacking the Father’s insight will be hopelessly flawed.

It must be remembered that the primary purpose of the Book of Revelation is to unveil the unsearchable riches of Yeshua Messiah, as the title in verse one conveys (Re. 1:1).

Re. 1:1 The Revelation of Yeshua the Messiah, which God gave Him to show to His servants the things that must soon take place. (TLV)

So, as you begin studying the Book of Revelation with fresh eyes, searching out the many epithets found within, seek to discover the epithets for Yeshua, such as “The Faithful and True Witness,” “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah,” “The Root of David,” “The Slain Lamb,” and many more.

These divinely placed descriptors are beautifully woven throughout the book and are some of the most spectacular windows into the radiant splendor of Yeshua Messiah seen in the whole of the Bible!