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σκότος

skótos

G4655 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Absence of light; physical darkness or gloom; also, metaphorically, the state of obscurity, ignorance, moral blindness, or adverse circumstances. Primary sense is literal darkness (the condition where light is lacking), but frequently used figuratively for lack of knowledge, moral confusion, or separation from what is good or revealed.

Semantic Range

physical darkness, absence of light, gloom, night, figurative obscurity, moral blindness, spiritual ignorance, adverse conditions, realm opposed to enlightenment or goodness

Root / Etymology

From the root σκοτ-; possibly related to or formed from σκιά ('shadow'), but ultimately of uncertain Indo-European origin; not directly traceable to a clear root beyond the common stem σκοτ-.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, σκότος always refers primarily to physical darkness (e.g. night, a dark room). In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew חשֶׁךְ (ḥōshek), carrying a broad range of both literal and figurative uses. In Koine and New Testament Greek, σκότος extends to moral, spiritual, or intellectual darkness—the condition of not perceiving or understanding truth or good, or the realm distinct from divine revelation and enlightenment. Metaphorical uses became especially prominent in Jewish Hellenistic literature and in the Christian texts, contrasting light (φῶς) as a symbol for knowledge, life, or divine presence. English translations such as 'darkness' or 'obscurity' often fail to capture the full metaphorical and ethical charge; the term can connote both outer circumstance (as in darkness over the earth) and inner disposition (as in darkness of the mind or heart).

Translation Consistency

primary "darkness" 30 occurrences

σκότος primarily denotes the absence of light (literal darkness) and is most naturally and commonly rendered in English as “darkness.” This single word covers the frequent literal sense and the wide range of figurative uses (obscurity, moral/spiritual blindness, adverse circumstances) while sounding natural in translation.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the base of σκιά; shadiness, i.e. obscurity (literally or figuratively):--darkness.

Root Family

σκοτ- (skoteinós) — to be dark, to lack light

Root σκοτ- darkness, to be dark, to become obscure
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4652 σκοτεινός dark
G4653 σκοτία in darkness
G4654 σκοτίζω was darkened
G4656 σκοτόω having been darkened

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4655-02 σκότος skotos N NOM N SG darkness darkness darkness 14
G4655-03 σκότους skotous N GEN N SG darkness of darkness of darkness 12
G4655-01 σκότει skotei N DAT N SG darkness in darkness darkness 4

Occurrences in Scripture

30 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4655-02 Matthew 6:23 σκότος skotos N NOM N SG darkness darkness darkness
G4655-02 Matthew 6:23 σκότος skotos-2 N NOM N SG darkness darkness darkness
G4655-02 Matthew 8:12 σκότος skotos N ACC N SG darkness darkness darkness
G4655-02 Matthew 22:13 σκότος skotos N ACC N SG darkness darkness darkness
G4655-02 Matthew 25:30 σκότος skotos N ACC N SG darkness darkness darkness
G4655-02 Matthew 27:45 σκότος skotos N NOM N SG darkness darkness darkness
G4655-02 Mark 15:33 σκότος skotos N NOM N SG darkness darkness darkness
G4655-01 Luke 1:79 σκότει skotei N DAT N SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4655-02 Luke 11:35 σκότος skotos N NOM N SG darkness darkness darkness
G4655-03 Luke 22:53 σκότους skotous N GEN N SG of darkness of darkness of darkness
G4655-02 Luke 23:44 σκότος skotos N NOM N SG darkness darkness darkness
G4655-02 John 3:19 σκότος skotos N ACC N SG darkness darkness darkness
G4655-02 Acts 2:20 σκότος skotos N ACC N SG darkness darkness darkness
G4655-02 Acts 13:11 σκότος skotos N NOM N SG a darkness darkness darkness
G4655-03 Acts 26:18 σκότους skotous N GEN N SG darkness of darkness of darkness
G4655-01 Romans 2:19 σκότει skotei N DAT N SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4655-03 Romans 13:12 σκότους skotous N GEN N SG darkness of darkness of darkness
G4655-03 1 Corinthians 4:5 σκότους skotous N GEN N SG darkness of darkness of darkness
G4655-03 2 Corinthians 4:6 σκότους skotous N GEN N SG darkness of darkness of darkness
G4655-02 2 Corinthians 6:14 σκότος skotos N ACC N SG darkness darkness darkness
G4655-02 Ephesians 5:8 σκότος skotos N NOM N SG darkness darkness darkness
G4655-03 Ephesians 5:11 σκότους skotous N GEN N SG darkness of darkness of darkness
G4655-03 Ephesians 6:12 σκότους skotous N GEN N SG darkness of darkness of darkness
G4655-03 Colossians 1:13 σκότους skotous N GEN N SG of darkness of darkness of darkness
G4655-01 1 Thessalonians 5:4 σκότει skotei N DAT N SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4655-03 1 Thessalonians 5:5 σκότους skotous N GEN N SG of darkness of darkness of darkness
G4655-03 1 Peter 2:9 σκότους skotous N GEN N SG darkness of darkness of darkness
G4655-03 2 Peter 2:17 σκότους skotous N GEN N SG darkness of darkness of darkness
G4655-01 1 John 1:6 σκότει skotei N DAT N SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4655-03 Jude 1:13 σκότους skotous N GEN N SG darkness of darkness of darkness
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