Lexical Summary aér: Air Original Word: ἀήρ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance air. From aemi (to breathe unconsciously, i.e. Respire; by analogy, to blow); "air" (as naturally circumambient) -- air. Compare psucho. see GREEK psucho NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aémi (to breathe, blow) Definition air NASB Translation air (7). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 109: ἀήρἀήρ, ἀέρος, ὁ (ἄημι, ἄω (cf. ἄνεμος, at the beginning)), the air (particularly the lower and denser, as distinguished from the higher and rarer ὁ αἰθήρ, cf. Homer, Iliad 14, 288), the atmospheric region: Acts 22:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 9:2; Revelation 16:17; ὁ ἄρχων τῆς ἐξουσίας τοῦ ἀέρος in Ephesians 2:2 signifies 'the ruler of the powers (spirits, see ἐξουσία 4 c. ββ.) in the air,' i. e. the devil, the prince of the demons that according to Jewish opinion fill the realm of air (cf. Meyer at the passage; (B. D. American edition under the word Topical Lexicon Physical Atmosphere and Human Experience In several passages the word denotes the literal atmosphere that envelops the earth. When the mob in Jerusalem raged against Paul, “they threw dust into the air” (Acts 22:23), a vivid snapshot of agitation stirring the very environment around them. In the apocalyptic vision of the fifth trumpet, “the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the pit” (Revelation 9:2), reminding readers that cosmic judgments impact creation’s most fundamental life-giving element. Metaphor for Futile Effort Paul twice employs the term as a figure for wasted exertion. In athletic imagery he insists, “I do not run aimlessly; I do not box like one beating the air” (1 Corinthians 9:26). Likewise, speech that lacks clear meaning is described as “speaking into the air” (1 Corinthians 14:9). Both texts underscore the biblical call to purposeful living and intelligible ministry: effort and utterance are to land solid blows, not dissipate in empty atmosphere. Scene of Eschatological Events At the consummation of redemption the atmosphere becomes the meeting-place between the risen Lord and His people: “We who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Far from an indeterminate realm, the air is portrayed as the stage on which Christ’s triumph and the church’s hope converge, bridging heaven and earth and assuring believers of bodily resurrection and reunion. Domain of Spiritual Opposition Paul identifies the pre-conversion walk of the Ephesians as being “according to the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). Here the atmospheric realm symbolizes the pervasive but unseen influence of satanic authority over fallen humanity. The contrast between this hostile dominion and the believer’s new position in “the heavenly realms in Christ” (Ephesians 2:6) heightens the magnitude of salvation and the call to spiritual vigilance. Divine Judgment and Final Cleansing The seventh bowl of wrath is “poured out into the air” (Revelation 16:17), signaling God’s decisive act to purge even the unseen spaces where rebellion once held sway. That the final judgment targets the very medium of breath demonstrates the totality of God’s holiness: nothing—visible or invisible—remains untouched by His righteous rule. Pastoral and Homiletical Applications • Purposeful ministry: Avoid “beating the air” by aligning goals, discipline, and communication with the gospel’s clear objectives. Forms and Transliterations αερα αέρα ἀέρα αερος αέρος ἀέρος αέρων αηρ αήρ ἀὴρ aer aēr aḕr aera aéra aeros aérosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 22:23 N-AMSGRK: εἰς τὸν ἀέρα NAS: and tossing dust into the air, KJV: dust into the air, INT: into the air 1 Corinthians 9:26 N-AMS 1 Corinthians 14:9 N-AMS Ephesians 2:2 N-GMS 1 Thessalonians 4:17 N-AMS Revelation 9:2 N-NMS Revelation 16:17 N-AMS Strong's Greek 109 |