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κρυπτός

kryptós

G2927 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

primarily 'hidden' or 'concealed'; refers to something not exposed to view, kept out of sight, or not publicly known. In different contexts, can mean secret (known only to certain individuals or to God), inward (pertaining to one's inner or unseen life), or private (not for public knowledge). Used of physical objects, actions, qualities, or intentions that are not external or visible.

Semantic Range

hidden, concealed, secret, private, inward, not evident, not manifest, known only to certain parties or to God, unseen, clandestine

Root / Etymology

from the root κρυπτ- of the verb κρύπτω, meaning 'to hide, to conceal.' The adjective κρυπτός directly derives from the verbal root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, κρυπτός described anything hidden from sight, clandestine, or secret. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, it frequently described hidden actions, motives, or inner qualities. Used in moral exhortation (e.g., Matthew 6:4, 6, 18), κρυπτός contrasts visible/public behavior with what is privately undertaken or inwardly experienced. In Romans 2:16, it denotes inner secrets of the heart, contrasting what God sees with what humans see. The standard translation as 'secret' or 'hidden' often fails to capture the nuance of inwardness or privateness, especially in ethical or spiritual contexts. Related nouns include κρυφίος ('secret', 'occult'), but κρυπτός often focuses on the state of being not manifest rather than on willful concealment. The Greek root underlies English borrowings like 'cryptic' and 'crypt.' Usage has remained fairly consistent from classical through Koine periods, always relating to what is not visible, open, or public.

Translation Consistency

primary "hidden" 17 occurrences

'Hidden' is the most natural, common English equivalent and matches the primary SILEX sense (concealed, not visible or publicly known). It accounts for physical, inward, and private senses and reflects the dominant usage in the P2 renderings (15/17). 'Hidden' is broader and more neutral than 'secret,' so it provides a consistent, natural rendering across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κρύπτω; concealed, i.e. private:--hid(-den), inward(-ly), secret.

Root Family

κρυπτός (kryptos) — hidden, concealed, secret, unseen

Root κρυπτ- to hide, to conceal

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2927-02 κρυπτῷ krupto ADJ.S DAT N SG secret in the hidden realm in the hidden realm 8
G2927-03 κρυπτὸν krupton ADJ.S NOM N SG hidden the hidden thing the hidden thing 4
G2927-01 κρυπτὰ krupta ADJ.S ACC N PL hidden things hidden things hidden things 4
G2927-04 κρυπτὸς kruptos ADJ.S NOM M SG hidden hidden one hidden one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2927-02 Matthew 6:4 κρυπτῷ krupto ADJ.S DAT N SG secret in the hidden realm in the hidden realm
G2927-02 Matthew 6:4 κρυπτῷ krupto-2 ADJ.S DAT N SG secret in the hidden realm in the hidden realm
G2927-02 Matthew 6:6 κρυπτῷ krupto ADJ.S DAT N SG secret in the hidden realm in the hidden realm
G2927-02 Matthew 6:6 κρυπτῷ krupto-2 ADJ.S DAT N SG secret in the hidden realm in the hidden realm
G2927-03 Matthew 10:26 κρυπτὸν krupton ADJ.S NOM N SG hidden the hidden thing the hidden thing
G2927-03 Mark 4:22 κρυπτὸν krupton ADJ.P NOM N SG hidden the hidden thing the hidden thing
G2927-03 Luke 8:17 κρυπτὸν krupton ADJ.P NOM N SG hidden the hidden thing the hidden thing
G2927-03 Luke 12:2 κρυπτὸν krupton ADJ.S NOM N SG hidden the hidden thing the hidden thing
G2927-02 John 7:4 κρυπτῷ krupto ADJ.S DAT N SG secret in the hidden realm in the hidden realm
G2927-02 John 7:10 κρυπτῷ krupto ADJ.S DAT N SG secret in the hidden realm in the hidden realm
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