σκοτόω
skotóō
G4656 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To darken, make dark, cause to lack light—literally (to deprive of brightness, physically obscure) or figuratively (to deprive of mental, spiritual, or moral perception; to obscure the mind or understanding). The verb may refer to literal darkness (of sky, sun, eyes), or metaphorically to the dulling of perception, confusion, or moral blindness.
Semantic Range
to make dark (literal), to obscure physically, to cloud or dull the mind, to deprive of understanding, to cause moral or spiritual blindness
Root / Etymology
Formed from the noun σκότος ('darkness') and the denominative verbal ending -όω, signifying 'to make dark'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, σκοτόω occurs rarely and primarily in later periods as a Koine formation. It is attested mainly in the Hellenistic and early Christian periods. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the verb is used both literally (to darken the sky or eyes) and figuratively (to describe the impairment of understanding or spiritual perception—e.g. Romans 1:21: 'their heart was darkened'). This figurative sense develops out of the common association in Greek thought between light and knowledge, darkness and ignorance or folly. English translations often render the verb as 'to darken', 'to be darkened', or figuratively as 'to blind'. However, its range includes both the physical (literal lack of light) and the non-physical (mental, moral, or spiritual obscurity). The verb is less common than related forms such as σκοτίζω. Compare with φωτίζω ('to illumine, bring light; to enlighten'). The opposition of darkness and light, especially in wisdom and folly, is significant in both Greek philosophy and biblical literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σκότος; to obscure or blind (literally or figuratively):--be full of darkness.
Root Family
σκοτ- (skoteinós) — to be dark, to lack light
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G4652 | σκοτεινός | dark |
| G4653 | σκοτία | in darkness |
| G4654 | σκοτίζω | was darkened |
| G4655 | σκότος | in darkness |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4656-01 |
ἐσκοτωμένη | eskotomene | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM F SG |
darkened | having been darkened | having been darkened | 1 |
G4656-02 |
ἐσκοτωμένοι | eskotomenoi | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
being darkened | having been darkened | having been darkened | 1 |
G4656-03 |
ἐσκοτώθη | eskotothe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
were darkened | was darkened | was darkened | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4656-02 |
Ephesians 4:18 | ἐσκοτωμένοι | eskotomenoi | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
being darkened | having been darkened | having been darkened |
G4656-03 |
Revelation 9:2 | ἐσκοτώθη | eskotothe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
were darkened | was darkened | was darkened |
G4656-01 |
Revelation 16:10 | ἐσκοτωμένη | eskotomene | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM F SG |
darkened | having been darkened | having been darkened |