Lexical Summary metópon: Forehead Original Word: μέτωπον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance forehead. From meta and ops (the face); the forehead (as opposite the countenance) -- forehead. see GREEK meta HELPS Word-studies 3359 métōpon – properly, "after the eye," referring to the forehead. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom meta and óps (an eye, face) Definition the forehead NASB Translation forehead (4), foreheads (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3359: μέτωπονμέτωπον, μετώπου, τό (μετά, ὤψ 'eye'), from Homer down; the Sept. for מֵצַח (literally, the space between the eyes) the forehead: Revelation 7:3; Revelation 9:4; Revelation 13:16; Revelation 14:1, 9; Revelation 17:5; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 22:4. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Literary SettingThe word appears eight times, exclusively in Revelation (7:3; 9:4; 13:16; 14:1, 9; 17:5; 20:4; 22:4). In every case the term designates the forehead as a conspicuous surface for an identifying inscription or mark. John’s repeated placement of names, seals, and brands on the forehead establishes a deliberate contrast between those who belong to God and those who capitulate to the satanic trinity of dragon, beast, and false prophet. Old Testament Antecedents Revelation’s imagery is firmly rooted in prior biblical revelations. Aaron’s high-priestly mitre bore a gold plate on his forehead engraved with “Holy to the LORD” (Exodus 28:36-38), a perpetual emblem of consecration. Ezekiel’s vision of the man with the ink horn marking the righteous “on their foreheads” (Ezekiel 9:4) supplies the prototype for the sealing of the 144,000. Deuteronomy 6:8 and 11:18 enjoin Israel to bind God’s words “as frontlets between your eyes,” foreshadowing the internalization and public display of covenant loyalty. Seal of Divine Protection “Do not harm the earth … until we have sealed the foreheads of the servants of our God” (Revelation 7:3). The sealing of the one hundred forty-four thousand serves a dual purpose: (1) ownership—identifying them as bond-servants purchased by the Lamb, and (2) preservation—immunity from trumpet judgments that assail the unsealed (Revelation 9:4). The forehead thus becomes the theater where divine election is publicly certified before hostile powers. Counterfeit Mark of the Beast “He causes all … to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead” (Revelation 13:16). The beast mimics God’s sealing act, coercing universal allegiance through an economic sanction. The brand is the satanic parody of covenant sign, binding recipients to idolatry and final judgment (Revelation 14:9-11). The stark alternative—name of the Father or number of the beast—eliminates neutrality; every forehead will testify for or against its bearer. Covenantal Consummation “They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads” (Revelation 22:4). History culminates with unhindered communion: the redeemed gaze upon God’s unveiled glory, their foreheads radiant with His name. The mark once given for protection in the wilderness becomes an emblem of perfected fellowship in the new Jerusalem, fulfilling Jeremiah 31:33’s interior covenant and surpassing the high priest’s solitary privilege. Historical Background In the Greco-Roman world, slaves, soldiers, and devotees of particular deities were often tattooed or branded on the forehead. Such indelible marks communicated ownership, loyalty, and cultic affiliation. John leverages this societal practice to portray ultimate spiritual realities, contrasting voluntary devotion to the Lamb with compelled subservience to the beast. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Identity: Believers derive self-understanding from God’s irrevocable claim, not from shifting cultural labels. Theological Synthesis Throughout Revelation the forehead serves as the canvas upon which covenant faithfulness or rebellion is emblazoned. The motif unites priestly holiness, prophetic warning, and eschatological hope, underscoring that the decisive issue of human history is worship. To bear the Father’s name is to share the Lamb’s victory; to receive the beast’s mark is to partake in his defeat. The faithful therefore await the day when every redeemed brow will shine with the name above every name, and God will be “all in all.” Forms and Transliterations μέτωπα μετωπον μέτωπον μέτωπόν μετωπου μετώπου μετώπω μετωπων μετώπων μέτωπων metopon metōpon metōpōn metṓpon metṓpōn métopon métōpon metopou metōpou metṓpouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Revelation 7:3 N-GNPGRK: ἐπὶ τῶν μετώπων αὐτῶν NAS: of our God on their foreheads. KJV: in their foreheads. INT: on the foreheads of them Revelation 9:4 N-GNP Revelation 13:16 N-ANS Revelation 14:1 N-GNP Revelation 14:9 N-GNS Revelation 17:5 N-ANS Revelation 20:4 N-ANS Revelation 22:4 N-GNP Strong's Greek 3359 |