← G5460 G5462 →

φωτίζω

phōtízō

G5461 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To illuminate, to give light or cause to shine (literally); to make visible or clear. In extended and figurative usage, to give understanding, to enlighten mentally or spiritually, to make something known or comprehensible. The primary sense is the act of producing or spreading light, and by extension, the act of making things manifest or intelligible.

Semantic Range

to shed light, to illuminate, to make visible or clear, to enlighten spiritually or mentally, to reveal, to give understanding

Root / Etymology

From the noun φῶς (phōs, 'light') and the verbal suffix -ίζω, forming a causative verb. Thus, φωτίζω literally means 'to cause to emit light' or 'to illuminate.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, φωτίζω primarily describes shining or giving light, whether physically (as with a lamp or other source). In the Hellenistic period and especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, it is frequently used figuratively for providing knowledge or insight, especially spiritual or moral understanding (e.g., 'enlightening the eyes,' 'bringing to light'). In Philo and Hellenistic Jewish literature, as well as in early Christian writings, φωτίζω came to be used of divine illumination—granting understanding of spiritual truths. English translations often use 'enlighten,' 'give light,' or similar expressions; however, these sometimes obscure the close connection in the original between literal light and metaphorical illumination. In baptismal and catechetical traditions of early Christianity, φωτίζω contributed to the term φωτισμός ('enlightenment') as a synonym for conversion or initiation. The verb stands in contrast to σκοτίζω ('to darken'). The semantic nuance in each instance depends on context, ranging from literal to deeply metaphorical uses.

Translation Consistency

primary "illuminate" 7 occurrences

"Illuminate" naturally covers both the literal sense of giving light and the figurative sense of making something clear or giving understanding. It is a common, natural verb that fits the typical uses of phōtízō and will read well across physical and spiritual contexts.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"shines" (1x) "having been enlightened" (1x) "enlighten" (1x) "shine" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from φῶς; to shed rays, i.e. to shine or (transitively) to brighten up (literally or figuratively):--enlighten, illuminate, (bring to, give) light, make to see.

Root Family

φωτίζω (phōtizō) — to shine, to give light, to illuminate

Root φωτ- to shine, to give light, to illuminate

Word Forms

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5461-09 φωτισθέντες photisthentes V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL having been enlightened having been illuminated having been illuminated 1
G5461-06 φωτίσαντος photisantos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG has brought to light of having illuminated having illuminated 1
G5461-01 ἐφώτισεν ephotisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG lightens he illuminated illuminated 1
G5461-07 φωτίσει photisei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will bring to light he/she/it will illuminate will illuminate 1
G5461-03 πεφωτισμένους pephotismenous V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M PL having been enlightened having been illuminated having been enlightened 1
G5461-05 φωτίσαι photisai V AOR ACT INF to enlighten to illuminate to enlighten 1
G5461-10 φωτίζῃ photize V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG shines may illuminate shines 1
G5461-04 φωτιεῖ photiei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will shine will illuminate will shine 1
G5461-02 ἐφωτίσθη ephotisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was illuminated was illuminated was illuminated 1
G5461-11 φωτίζει photizei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG enlightens is illuminating is illuminating 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5461-10 Luke 11:36 φωτίζῃ photize V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG shines may illuminate shines
G5461-11 John 1:9 φωτίζει photizei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG enlightens is illuminating is illuminating
G5461-07 1 Corinthians 4:5 φωτίσει photisei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will bring to light he/she/it will illuminate will illuminate
G5461-03 Ephesians 1:18 πεφωτισμένους pephotismenous V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M PL having been enlightened having been illuminated having been enlightened
G5461-05 Ephesians 3:9 φωτίσαι photisai V AOR ACT INF to enlighten to illuminate to enlighten
G5461-06 2 Timothy 1:10 φωτίσαντος photisantos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG has brought to light of having illuminated having illuminated
G5461-08 Hebrews 6:4 φωτισθέντας photisthentas V AOR PASS PTCP ACC M PL having been enlightened having been illuminated having been illuminated
G5461-09 Hebrews 10:32 φωτισθέντες photisthentes V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL having been enlightened having been illuminated having been illuminated
G5461-02 Revelation 18:1 ἐφωτίσθη ephotisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was illuminated was illuminated was illuminated
G5461-01 Revelation 21:23 ἐφώτισεν ephotisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG lightens he illuminated illuminated
← G5460 Greek Lexicon G5462 →