σκοτίζω
skotízō
G4654 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To make dark, to cause darkness (literal); to obscure, make unclear, or render unintelligible (figurative). The verb fundamentally means to cause something to become deprived of light, but is frequently used metaphorically in Greek literature and the New Testament for making thoughts, minds, or understanding obscure or clouded.
Semantic Range
to make dark (physically), to obscure, to cloud (understanding or perception), to deprive of light (literal or figurative), to render unintelligible
Root / Etymology
From the noun σκότος (darkness), with the causative verbal suffix -ίζω. The verb structure indicates the act of causing darkness or obscurity. Related to the noun σκότος ('darkness') and the adjective σκοτεινός ('dark').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, σκοτίζω appears from at least the Hellenistic period, used both physically (of literal darkness) and metaphorically (of ignorance or lack of understanding). In the Septuagint and the New Testament, its use is predominantly metaphorical, frequently referring to mental or spiritual obscuration as in Romans 1:21 ('their foolish hearts were darkened'). English translations often render the word as 'darken' or 'obscure,' but the metaphorical meaning—especially referring to mental or moral blindness—is crucial in the context of Judean and Hellenistic writings. The verb contrasts with φωτίζω ('to enlighten, to bring light'). The figurative sense reflects broader Greco-Roman and Israelite metaphors of light for knowledge and darkness for ignorance or moral confusion.
Translation Consistency
Darken captures both the literal sense (to make physically dark) and the common figurative sense (to cloud or obscure understanding) in natural, everyday English. It is more conversational than 'obscure' yet precisely conveys the semantic range of σκοτίζω, making it a consistent, versatile choice for all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σκότος; to obscure (literally or figuratively):--darken.
Root Family
σκοτ- (skoteinós) — to be dark, to lack light
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G4652 | σκοτεινός | dark |
| G4653 | σκοτία | in darkness |
| G4655 | σκότος | in darkness |
| G4656 | σκοτόω | having been darkened |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4654-03 |
σκοτισθήσεται | skotisthesetai | V FUT PASS IND 3P SG |
will be darkened | will be darkened | will be darkened | 2 |
G4654-01 |
ἐσκοτίσθη | eskotisthe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
was darkened | was darkened | was darkened | 1 |
G4654-02 |
σκοτισθῇ | skotisthe | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG |
it might be darkened | may be darkened | may be darkened | 1 |
G4654-04 |
σκοτισθήτωσαν | skotisthetosan | V AOR PASS IMP 3P PL |
let their eyes be darkened | let them be darkened | let them be darkened | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4654-03 |
Matthew 24:29 | σκοτισθήσεται | skotisthesetai | V FUT PASS IND 3P SG |
will be darkened | will be darkened | will be darkened |
G4654-03 |
Mark 13:24 | σκοτισθήσεται | skotisthesetai | V FUT PASS IND 3P SG |
will be darkened | will be darkened | will be darkened |
G4654-01 |
Romans 1:21 | ἐσκοτίσθη | eskotisthe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
was darkened | was darkened | was darkened |
G4654-04 |
Romans 11:10 | σκοτισθήτωσαν | skotisthetosan | V AOR PASS IMP 3P PL |
let their eyes be darkened | let them be darkened | let them be darkened |
G4654-02 |
Revelation 8:12 | σκοτισθῇ | skotisthe | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG |
it might be darkened | may be darkened | may be darkened |