σκοτεινός
skoteinós
G4652 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Dark; characterized by absence of light, lacking illumination. By extension, used figuratively to describe that which is obscure, hidden, spiritually or morally unenlightened, or belonging to the realm of darkness. In physical contexts, refers to literal dimness or shadow; in moral or metaphorical contexts, denotes spiritual blindness, ignorance, or evil.
Semantic Range
physically dark, unlit, gloomy, shadowy; obscure, hidden; morally or spiritually unenlightened, ignorant, evil
Root / Etymology
Derived from the noun σκότος (darkness) with the adjectival suffix -ινός, forming an adjective meaning 'pertaining to darkness.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, σκοτεινός described literal physical darkness or the quality of being unlit or shadowy. In the Septuagint and Jewish-Hellenistic literature, it commonly describes places, times, or conditions marked by an absence of light. In the New Testament, the term acquires additional metaphorical nuance: it can describe spiritual or moral conditions characterized by ignorance, unbelief, or evil (e.g., Matthew 6:23 – 'If your eye is σκοτεινός, your whole body will be full of darkness'). Early Christian literature uses σκοτεινός and related terms to denote both the literal experience of night and the figurative condition of alienation from divine truth. The standard English rendering 'dark' or 'full of darkness' accurately reflects the term's broad usage but may not capture nuanced metaphorical senses related to spiritual perception or ethical orientation. Related adjectives, such as γνώριμος (known, visible) and λαμπρός (bright, shining), provide contrast to σκοτεινός in Greek lexical contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σκότος; opaque, i.e. (figuratively) benighted:--dark, full of darkness.
Root Family
σκοτ- (skoteinós) — to be dark, to lack light
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G4653 | σκοτία | in darkness |
| G4654 | σκοτίζω | was darkened |
| G4655 | σκότος | in darkness |
| G4656 | σκοτόω | having been darkened |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4652-01 |
σκοτεινὸν | skoteinon | ADJ.P NOM N SG |
dark | dark | dark | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4652-01 |
Matthew 6:23 | σκοτεινὸν | skoteinon | ADJ.P NOM N SG |
dark | dark | dark |
G4652-01 |
Luke 11:34 | σκοτεινόν | skoteinon | ADJ.P NOM N SG |
full-of-darkness | dark | dark |
G4652-01 |
Luke 11:36 | σκοτεινόν | skoteinon | ADJ.A ACC N SG |
dark | dark | dark |