μυστήριον
mystḗrion
G3466 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A secret or hidden thing, especially a religious secret known only by divine revelation or by those initiated; in broader contexts, that which is not accessible to ordinary understanding or is concealed from the general public. In Hellenistic and early Christian usage, often denotes a divine or transcendent reality previously hidden and now disclosed, especially through revelation.
Semantic Range
secret or hidden doctrine, religious secret communicated to initiates, secret purpose or plan of a deity, divinely revealed truth, matter previously unknown but now disclosed, hidden meaning or significance
Root / Etymology
From the root μύω (mýō), 'to close' (particularly the mouth or eyes), with the -τήριον suffix indicating the result of an action. Related to initiation or secret instruction, etymologically tied to the notion of being initiated into the mysteries by closing the senses to outsiders. Originally referenced in contexts of Greek mystery cults, later applied metaphorically to hidden truths or divine secrets.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, μυστήριον referred especially to religious rites or doctrines revealed only to initiates within mystery cults (e.g., Eleusinian Mysteries), signifying both the rites and the knowledge imparted therein. In the Septuagint, μυστήριον is rare but may be used to translate Hebrew רָז (raz, 'secret') in Daniel (LXX Daniel 2), denoting hidden matters known only by divine revelation. In the Greek literature of the Second Temple period, it expands to signify God's hidden purposes or decrees. In the New Testament, μυστήριον most often designates the divine plan or truth previously concealed and now revealed—such as the inclusion of the nations (Gentiles) in the people of God, the meaning of the parables, or the unveiling of Christ's redemptive work. Unlike its origin in pagan initiatory contexts, New Testament usage is less about exclusive ritual knowledge and more about God's revealed will, though still often portrayed as hidden from those not receptive or initiated through revelation. English 'mystery' reflects this, but modern connotations of 'puzzle' or 'detective story' do not capture the sense of sacred or divinely-concealed truth.
Translation Consistency
μυστήριον most often denotes a divinely hidden thing that is now revealed — a ‘mystery’ in English captures that theological sense directly and is the natural, widely recognized rendering in English Bibles. It preserves the nuance of something previously concealed but disclosed by revelation, so it fits the typical usage across contexts and will read naturally and consistently.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a derivative of (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites):--mystery.
Root Family
μυστ- (mystḗrion) — to close, to initiate into secret knowledge, to conceal
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3466-03 |
μυστήριον | musterion | N NOM N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery | 18 |
G3466-01 |
μυστήρια | musteria | N ACC N PL |
mysteries | hidden sacred secrets | hidden sacred secrets | 4 |
G3466-04 |
μυστηρίου | musteriou | N GEN N SG |
mystery | of a hidden secret | of the mystery | 4 |
G3466-02 |
μυστηρίῳ | musterio | N DAT N SG |
a mystery | to a revealed secret | in a mystery | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
28 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3466-01 |
Matthew 13:11 | μυστήρια | musteria | N ACC N PL |
mysteries | hidden sacred secrets | hidden sacred secrets |
G3466-03 |
Mark 4:11 | μυστήριον | musterion | N NOM N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-01 |
Luke 8:10 | μυστήρια | musteria | N ACC N PL |
mysteries | hidden sacred secrets | hidden sacred secrets |
G3466-03 |
Romans 11:25 | μυστήριον | musterion | N ACC N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-04 |
Romans 16:25 | μυστηρίου | musteriou | N GEN N SG |
of the mystery | of a hidden secret | of the mystery |
G3466-03 |
1 Corinthians 2:1 | μυστήριον | musterion | N ACC N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-02 |
1 Corinthians 2:7 | μυστηρίῳ | musterio | N DAT N SG |
a mystery | to a revealed secret | in a mystery |
G3466-03 |
1 Corinthians 4:1 | μυστηρίων | musterion | N GEN N PL |
of mysteries | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-01 |
1 Corinthians 13:2 | μυστήρια | musteria | N ACC N PL |
mysteries | hidden sacred secrets | hidden sacred secrets |
G3466-01 |
1 Corinthians 14:2 | μυστήρια | musteria | N ACC N PL |
mysteries | hidden sacred secrets | hidden sacred secrets |
G3466-03 |
1 Corinthians 15:51 | μυστήριον | musterion | N ACC N SG |
a mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-03 |
Ephesians 1:9 | μυστήριον | musterion | N ACC N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-03 |
Ephesians 3:3 | μυστήριον | musterion | N NOM N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-02 |
Ephesians 3:4 | μυστηρίῳ | musterio | N DAT N SG |
mystery | to a revealed secret | mystery |
G3466-04 |
Ephesians 3:9 | μυστηρίου | musteriou | N GEN N SG |
mystery | of a hidden secret | of the mystery |
G3466-03 |
Ephesians 5:32 | μυστήριον | musterion | N NOM N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-03 |
Ephesians 6:19 | μυστήριον | musterion | N ACC N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-03 |
Colossians 1:26 | μυστήριον | musterion | N ACC N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-04 |
Colossians 1:27 | μυστηρίου | musteriou | N GEN N SG |
mystery | of a hidden secret | of the mystery |
G3466-04 |
Colossians 2:2 | μυστηρίου | musteriou | N GEN N SG |
mystery | of a hidden secret | of the mystery |
G3466-03 |
Colossians 4:3 | μυστήριον | musterion | N ACC N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-03 |
2 Thessalonians 2:7 | μυστήριον | musterion | N NOM N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-03 |
1 Timothy 3:9 | μυστήριον | musterion | N ACC N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-03 |
1 Timothy 3:16 | μυστήριον | musterion | N NOM N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-03 |
Revelation 1:20 | μυστήριον | musterion | N NOM N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-03 |
Revelation 10:7 | μυστήριον | musterion | N NOM N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-03 |
Revelation 17:5 | Μυστήριον | musterion | N NOM N SG |
Mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |
G3466-03 |
Revelation 17:7 | μυστήριον | musterion | N ACC N SG |
mystery | sacred secret | sacred mystery |