ἐμφανίζω
emphanízō
G1718 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To make manifest or visible, to reveal or show clearly, whether by bringing something (or someone) to visible appearance, or making information known, or presenting openly. In some contexts, emphasizes public display or clear disclosure rather than a mere statement.
Semantic Range
to show openly, to make manifest, to reveal, to disclose (information), to appear (in person), to report, to declare plainly, to present or exhibit
Root / Etymology
From ἐμφανής (emphanēs, 'manifest, apparent'), itself formed from the prepositional prefix ἐν- ('in') and φαίνω ('to bring to light, cause to appear').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐμφανίζω regularly refers to making something or someone visible or presenting openly (e.g., bringing suspects before a magistrate, revealing treasures). In the Hellenistic period and Koine, the use extended to revealing information, making something known, or reporting. The Septuagint often uses the term for revelations or the making known of deeds or intentions, including divine manifestations. In the New Testament, ἐμφανίζω is commonly used for making something clear, appearing openly, or disclosing information—sometimes with a focus on acts of making oneself visible or manifest to others, and sometimes in the sense of revealing or reporting something (as in John 14:22, where it distinguishes between manifesting to the world versus privately). English translations sometimes render it as 'show,' 'manifest,' 'appear,' or 'declare,' but these do not always capture the distinction between physical appearance and clear public disclosure. The word does not imply mere internal realization but the act of making something external or observable to others. Distinct from δηλόω (dēlóō, 'to make plain, declare'), as ἐμφανίζω stresses making something evident by presentation or appearing.
Translation Consistency
"Show" is a natural, versatile verb that covers the primary senses of ἐμφανίζω — making visible, presenting or exhibiting, and making known or revealing publicly. It reads naturally in English across contexts of appearance, disclosure, and display, so it works well as a single consistent base verb for all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐμφανής; to exhibit (in person) or disclose (by words):--appear, declare (plainly), inform, (will) manifest, shew, signify.
Root Family
φαν- (emphanízō) — to make visible, to bring to light, to reveal
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G2016 | ἐπιφανής | manifest (feminine singular accusative) |
| G5316 | φαίνω | was made visible |
| G5322 | φανός | of lamps |
| G852 | ἀφανής | unseen |
| G855 | ἄφαντος | not manifest |
Word Forms
8 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1718-06 |
ἐνεφάνισαν | enephanisan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
informed | they made manifest | they showed | 3 |
G1718-01 |
ἐμφανίσατε | emphanisate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
notify | Make manifest! | make manifest | 1 |
G1718-02 |
ἐμφανίσω | emphaniso | V FUT ACT IND 1P SG |
will manifest | I will make manifest | will manifest | 1 |
G1718-03 |
ἐμφανισθῆναι | emphanisthenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to appear | to be made manifest | to be made manifest | 1 |
G1718-04 |
ἐμφανίζειν | emphanizein | V PRS ACT INF |
to manifest | to make manifest | to make manifest | 1 |
G1718-05 |
ἐμφανίζουσιν | emphanizousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
make clear | they make manifest | they make manifest | 1 |
G1718-07 |
ἐνεφάνισας | enephanisas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
you have shown | you were revealing | you revealed | 1 |
G1718-08 |
ἐνεφανίσθησαν | enephanisthesan | V AOR PASS IND 3P PL |
appeared | they were made manifest | they were made manifest | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1718-08 |
Matthew 27:53 | ἐνεφανίσθησαν | enephanisthesan | V AOR PASS IND 3P PL |
appeared | they were made manifest | they were made manifest |
G1718-02 |
John 14:21 | ἐμφανίσω | emphaniso | V FUT ACT IND 1P SG |
will manifest | I will make manifest | will manifest |
G1718-04 |
John 14:22 | ἐμφανίζειν | emphanizein | V PRS ACT INF |
to manifest | to make manifest | to make manifest |
G1718-01 |
Acts 23:15 | ἐμφανίσατε | emphanisate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
notify | Make manifest! | make manifest |
G1718-07 |
Acts 23:22 | ἐνεφάνισας | enephanisas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
you have shown | you were revealing | you revealed |
G1718-06 |
Acts 24:1 | ἐνεφάνισαν | enephanisan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
informed | they made manifest | they showed |
G1718-06 |
Acts 25:2 | ἐνεφάνισάν | enephanisan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
informed | they made manifest | they showed |
G1718-06 |
Acts 25:15 | ἐνεφάνισαν | enephanisan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
informed | they made manifest | they showed |
G1718-03 |
Hebrews 9:24 | ἐμφανισθῆναι | emphanisthenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to appear | to be made manifest | to be made manifest |
G1718-05 |
Hebrews 11:14 | ἐμφανίζουσιν | emphanizousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
make clear | they make manifest | they make manifest |