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ἐπιφαύω

epiphaúō

G2017 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To shine upon, to illuminate, to bring light to something or someone. In extended or figurative contexts, to cause enlightenment, to make something clear or evident.

Semantic Range

to shine upon, to illuminate, to lighten up, to bring to light, to enlighten (figuratively), to make evident

Root / Etymology

Formed from the prefix ἐπι- ('upon, over') and φαύω, an older or less common variant of φαίνω ('to shine, to appear'). Related to the more regularly attested verb ἐπιφαίνω. The combination literally means 'to shine upon.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἐπιφαύω is a rare verb, occurring infrequently in Greek literature and only once in the New Testament (2 Peter 1:19). This rarity suggests it may have been influenced by variation in manuscript transmission or by hyper-correct usage modeled on the more common ἐπιφαίνω. In its sole New Testament occurrence, it is used metaphorically for enlightening or giving understanding, drawing on the conventional Greek imagery of light and illumination as symbols for knowledge or revelation. In Hellenistic and later Koine Greek, verbs built on φαίνω/φαύω often overlap semantically, but ἐπιφαύω is less common than ἐπιφαίνω, which is the usual form for both literal and figurative shining. English Bible translations typically render the word as 'to give light,' but the sense includes both literal and metaphorical illumination, as is clear from literary and philosophical Greek contexts where light connotes both physical and intellectual clarity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a form of ἐπιφαίνω; to illuminate (figuratively):--give light.

Root Family

ἐπιφαύω (epiphaúō) — to shine, to illuminate, to give light

Root φαύ- to shine, to illuminate, to give light

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2017-01 ἐπιφαύσει epiphausei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will shine will shine upon will shine upon 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2017-01 Ephesians 5:14 ἐπιφαύσει epiphausei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will shine will shine upon will shine upon
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