G5586: ψῆφος (psēphos)

Quick Definition

ψῆφος, ου, ἡ n.f. a pebble, a vote

Strong's Definition

from the same as 5584; a pebble (as worn smooth by handling), i.e. (by implication, of use as a counter or ballot) a verdict (of acquittal) or ticket (of admission); a vote

KJV Usage: stone, voice

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

ψῆφος (G5586)

noun, f. | -ου | ψώχω

2.27 · Natural Substances · Earth, Mud, Sand, Rock

pebble, small stone a small stone, possibly used for casting a vote or as a magical amulet A number of different suggestions have been made as to the reference of ψῆφος in REV 2:17. Some scholars believe that the white ψῆφος indicates a vote of acquittal in court. Others contend that it is simply a magical amulet; still others, a token of Roman hospitality; and finally, some have suggested that it may represent a ticket to the gladiatorial games, that is to say, to martyrdom. The context, however, suggests clearly that this is something to be prized and a type of reward for those who have ‘won the victory.’

ACT 26:10 · REV 2:17 · REV 2:17

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

ψῆφος, -ov, ἡ, (ἔν. ψάω, see ψάλλω), a small, worn, smooth stone; pebble, [fr. Pind., Hdt., down; (in Hom. Wnois) ]; 1. since in the ancient courts of justice the accused were condemned by black pebbles and aequitted by white (cf. Passow s. v. ψῆφος, 2 ὁ.» vol. ii. p. 2574»; [L.and S. s. v.4 d.]; Ovid. met. 15, 41; [Plut. Alcib. 22, 2]), and a man on his acquittal was spoken of as νικήσας (Theophr. char. 17 (19), 3) and the ψῆφος acquitting him called νικητήριος (Heliod. 3, 3 sub fin.), Christ promises that to the one who has gained eternal life by coming off conqueror over temptation (τῷ νικοῦντε ΓΔ. V. to him that overcometh]) he will give ψῆφον λευκήν, Rey. ii. 17; but the figure is explained differently by different interpp.; ef. Diisterdieck [or Lee in the ‘Speaker’s Com.’] ad loc. ; [B. D.s. v. Stones, 8]. Ewald (Die Johann. Schriften, ii. p. 136; [ef. Lee u.s.; Plumptre in B. D. s. v. Hospitality, fin.]) understands it to be the tessera hospitalis [ef. Rich, Dict. of Antiq. s. v. Tessera, 3; Becker, Charicles, sc. i. note 17], which on being shown secures admission to the enjoyment of the heavenly manna; the Greek name, however, for this tessera, is not ψῆφος, but σύμβολον. 2. a vote (on account of the use of pebbles in voting): καταφέρω (q- v-), Acts xxvi. 10.

Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary

ψῆφος psēphos 3x

a small stone, pebble; a pebble variously employed, especially in a ballot; hence, a vote, suffrage, Acts 26:10; a pebble or stone; probably given as a token, Rev. 2:17 (2x)*

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

ψῆφος, -ου, ἡ

(< ψάω, to rub) [in LXX: Ex 4:25 (צֹר), La 3:16 (חָצָץ), Ec 7:26 (25) (חֶשְׁבּוֺך), IV Ki 12:4 (5) A, Si 18:10, IV Mac 15:26 * ;]

a small smooth stone, a pebble: ψ. λευκή (for suggestions as to the meaning, v. Swete, in l.), Re 2:17.

From the use of pebbles in voting, a vote: Ac 26:10.†

Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT

ψῆφος. For ψῆφος, “fa pebble,’’ as in Rev 217, cf. P Petr II. 13(6)15 (B.c. 258-253) where, with reference to a stone contract, mention is made of removing τὰς ψήφους, by which the editor understands ‘‘the pebbles lying over the rock to be quarried.”’ From the use of pebbles in voting, the word comes readily to mean “‘ vote, number’’: cf. P Lips I. 10519 (i/ii A.D.) (= Chrest. I. p. 276) μὴ καταγειοχέναι. (/. καταγηοχέναι) ἑκάστ[ου] εἴδους τὴν ψῆφον, and 70. 6455 (c. A.D. 368) (= Chrest. I. p. 333) ὡς λίτραν χρυσίου ταῖς ταμιακαῖς ψήφοις δοῦναι προσταχθήσει. For Rey 1318 cf. an inscr. edited by Cumont in RZGr xv. (1902), p. 5, which concludes—(év) ὀνόματι ot ἐστιν ψῆφος tte: see Wiinsch AF, p. 23. Note also P Par 63 1 (B.c, 164) τὴν ἐν χρόνῳ [βο]υλευνομ[ένη]ν ψῆφον ἐ[ξε]τάσοντα. aire , ψιθυριστής, lit. “ἃ whisperer,’’ but used with special reference to secret attacks on a person’s character, as compared with κατάλαλος, an open detractor. For the combination in Rom 135 (cf, 2 Cor 1239) Lightfoot (Woles, p. 256) cites Tac. Ann. vi. 7 ‘cum primores senatus infimas etiam delationes exercerent, alii propalam, multi per occultum.

Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon

ψῆφος (psēphos) — stone. ψῆφος, Doric dialect ψᾶφος, Aeolic dialect ψᾶφαξ, ἡ, genitive plural ψηφάων [Refs 4th c.AD+]: (ψάω):—a small round worn stone, pebble, ψᾶφος ἑλισσομένα [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ψήφῳ μούνῃ διατετρανέεις, opposed to μόγις ἂν λίθῳ παίσας διαρρήξειας, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ψ. ἄμμου a grain of sand, [LXX]

2. precious stone, gem, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; especially worn in a ring, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

II. accusative to the various uses made of such pebbles:

II.1. pebble used for reckoning, counter, λογίζεσθαι ψήφοις calculate or reckon by abacus, cipher, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: hence to reckon exactly or accurately, opposed to ἀπὸ χειρὸς λ., [Refs 5th c.BC+] itself for a cipher, number, πὸτ ἄρτιον (i.e. ἀριθμὸν) ποτθέμειν.. ψᾶφον [Refs 5th c.BC+]: plural, accounts, καθαραὶ ψ., where there is an exact balance, [Refs 4th c.BC+]calculators, [Refs 1st c.AD+]; δακτυλικὴ ψ. reckoning on the fingers, [Refs 6th c.AD+]; of astrological calculations, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

II.1. b in Magic, κατέχων τὴν ψ. (i. e. the object on which the number is written) λέγε.. [Refs]

II.2. pebble used for a draughts- or chess-man, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.2. b pebble used by jugglers, ψηφάων παῖκται [Refs 4th c.AD+]

II.3. pebble used in divination, ἡ διὰ ψήφων μαντική [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

II.4. cube used in mosaic pavements, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

II.5. pebble used in voting, ψήφῳ ψηφίζεσθαι [Refs 5th c.BC+]: hence, the vote itself, ψῆφον φέρειν give one's vote, ἐν καρδίᾳ ψ. φέροντες [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ψῆφον τίθεσθαι, ={ψηφίζεσθαι}, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; with infinitive, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ψήφῳ διαιρεῖν to determine by vote, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; ψήφῳ κρίνειν, [Refs 5th c.BC+] a vote is taken, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; οἷς ἂν πλείστη γένηται ψ. a majority of votes, [Refs 5th c.BC+] to put the vote or question, of the president, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; διένεμον (variants διενέμοντο, ἔφερον) τὰς ψ. were casting their votes, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ὑπὸ ψήφου μιᾶς with one accord, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ψ. φανερά open voting, ψ. φανερὰν διενεγκεῖν [Refs 5th c.BC+]; opposed to ψ. ἀφανής voting by ballot, [Refs 4th c.BC+]

II.5. b that which is carried by vote, a vote, ψ. καταγνώσεως a vote of condemnation, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ψῆφος αὐτῷ ἐπῆκτο περὶ φυγῆς a vote of banishment was moved for against him, [Refs 5th c.BC+] —hence,

II.5. c any resolve or decree, ψ. τυράννων [Refs 5th c.BC+]; λιθίνα ψᾶφος a decree written on stone, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; διδοῖ ψᾶφον περ᾽ αὐτᾶς [the oak] gives judgement of itself, [Refs]; ψ. φλεγυρὰ βροτῶν, i. e. public opinion, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τίν᾽ ἂν ψῆφον θεῖ; what judgment.. ? [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.5. d Ἀθηνᾶς ψ., calculus Minervae, proverbial phrase to express acquittal, when the votes were even, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

II.5. e ψ. is sometimes omitted, κἂν ἴσαι γένωνται [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.5. f Διὸς ψῆφος (ψῆφοι [Refs 5th c.AD+] of the scene of contest betw. Athena and Poseidon, [Refs]

II.5. g Κόννου ψ., negligible quantity, cipher, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.6. place of voting, tribunal, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.7. metaphorically, influence, πόλις μεγάλην ψ. ἔχουσα [Refs 4th c.AD+]

ψῆφος (psēphos) — stone: vote. ψῆφος, Doric dialect ψᾶφος, Aeolic dialect ψᾶφαξ, ἡ, genitive plural ψηφάων [Refs 4th c.AD+]: (ψάω):—a small round worn stone, pebble, ψᾶφος ἑλισσομένα [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ψήφῳ μούνῃ διατετρανέεις, opposed to μόγις ἂν λίθῳ παίσας διαρρήξειας, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ψ. ἄμμου a grain of sand, [LXX]

2. precious stone, gem, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; especially worn in a ring, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

II. accusative to the various uses made of such pebbles:

II.1. pebble used for reckoning, counter, λογίζεσθαι ψήφοις calculate or reckon by abacus, cipher, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: hence to reckon exactly or accurately, opposed to ἀπὸ χειρὸς λ., [Refs 5th c.BC+] itself for a cipher, number, πὸτ ἄρτιον (i.e. ἀριθμὸν) ποτθέμειν.. ψᾶφον [Refs 5th c.BC+]: plural, accounts, καθαραὶ ψ., where there is an exact balance, [Refs 4th c.BC+]calculators, [Refs 1st c.AD+]; δακτυλικὴ ψ. reckoning on the fingers, [Refs 6th c.AD+]; of astrological calculations, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

II.1. b in Magic, κατέχων τὴν ψ. (i. e. the object on which the number is written) λέγε.. [Refs]

II.2. pebble used for a draughts- or chess-man, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.2. b pebble used by jugglers, ψηφάων παῖκται [Refs 4th c.AD+]

II.3. pebble used in divination, ἡ διὰ ψήφων μαντική [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

II.4. cube used in mosaic pavements, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

II.5. pebble used in voting, ψήφῳ ψηφίζεσθαι [Refs 5th c.BC+]: hence, the vote itself, ψῆφον φέρειν give one's vote, ἐν καρδίᾳ ψ. φέροντες [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ψῆφον τίθεσθαι, ={ψηφίζεσθαι}, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; with infinitive, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ψήφῳ διαιρεῖν to determine by vote, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; ψήφῳ κρίνειν, [Refs 5th c.BC+] a vote is taken, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; οἷς ἂν πλείστη γένηται ψ. a majority of votes, [Refs 5th c.BC+] to put the vote or question, of the president, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; διένεμον (variants διενέμοντο, ἔφερον) τὰς ψ. were casting their votes, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ὑπὸ ψήφου μιᾶς with one accord, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ψ. φανερά open voting, ψ. φανερὰν διενεγκεῖν [Refs 5th c.BC+]; opposed to ψ. ἀφανής voting by ballot, [Refs 4th c.BC+]

II.5. b that which is carried by vote, a vote, ψ. καταγνώσεως a vote of condemnation, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ψῆφος αὐτῷ ἐπῆκτο περὶ φυγῆς a vote of banishment was moved for against him, [Refs 5th c.BC+] —hence,

II.5. c any resolve or decree, ψ. τυράννων [Refs 5th c.BC+]; λιθίνα ψᾶφος a decree written on stone, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; διδοῖ ψᾶφον περ᾽ αὐτᾶς [the oak] gives judgement of itself, [Refs]; ψ. φλεγυρὰ βροτῶν, i. e. public opinion, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τίν᾽ ἂν ψῆφον θεῖ; what judgment.. ? [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.5. d Ἀθηνᾶς ψ., calculus Minervae, proverbial phrase to express acquittal, when the votes were even, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

II.5. e ψ. is sometimes omitted, κἂν ἴσαι γένωνται [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.5. f Διὸς ψῆφος (ψῆφοι [Refs 5th c.AD+] of the scene of contest betw. Athena and Poseidon, [Refs]

II.5. g Κόννου ψ., negligible quantity, cipher, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.6. place of voting, tribunal, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.7. metaphorically, influence, πόλις μεγάλην ψ. ἔχουσα [Refs 4th c.AD+]