ἀποκάλυψις (G602) — Greek Lexicon

ἀποκάλυψις

apokálypsis

G602 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Uncovering, unveiling, or disclosure of something previously hidden or unknown; in literature and technical usage, the act of making something known, revealed, or manifest, especially of information previously kept secret or not accessible. In wider contexts, includes the disclosure of truths, mysteries, persons, or plans. In the New Testament, frequently used to denote the unveiling of divine mysteries, the disclosure of God's will, or the revealing of messianic or eschatological events.

Semantic Range

unveiling, disclosure, revelation, making known, manifestation of something previously hidden, uncovering (literal or metaphorical), appearance (through revealed knowledge), especially of divine mysteries or persons

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalyptō), itself a compound of ἀπό (apo, 'from') and καλύπτω (kalyptō, 'to cover, to hide'). The noun denotes the act or result of uncovering, uncovering that which had been concealed.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek usage, ἀποκάλυψις is rare, largely appearing in post-classical and Hellenistic periods, where it carried the sense of unveiling or disclosure (e.g., removal of a veil or cover from an object or person). In Jewish and early Christian literature, especially apocalyptic writings, it took on the technical meaning of divine revelation—often of hidden or eschatological knowledge communicated through visions or heavenly messengers. The term ἀποκάλυψις in the Septuagint is infrequent but aligns with 'unveiling' or making known. In the New Testament, ἀποκάλυψις refers both to the act of God revealing truths, particularly mysteries previously hidden, and to eschatological events, such as the anticipated revelation of the messiah or ultimate divine purposes. Most English translations render it 'revelation', but this may obscure its broader use as both an act (the process of revealing) and a resulting reality (that which is revealed). Its use differs from closely related terms such as φανέρωσις ('manifestation' or 'making visible'), emphasizing the transition from hiddenness to openness rather than mere appearance.

Translation Consistency

primary "revelation" 16 occurrences

“Revelation” is the standard, natural English noun that best captures the SILEX range (unveiling, disclosure, making known), and it is the typical theological translation in New Testament contexts for ἀποκάλυψις. It covers both literal and metaphorical senses (the disclosure of divine mysteries, events, persons, or truths) and is familiar to modern readers while remaining accurate to the Greek usage.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):

"unveilings" (1x) "unveiling" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀποκαλύπτω; disclosure:--appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.

Root Family

ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis) — uncovering, unveiling, disclosure

Root ἀποκαλυπ- to uncover, to reveal, to disclose

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G601	ἀποκαλύπτω	to an unveiling

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G602-05`	ἀποκάλυψιν	apokalupsin	`N ACC F SG`	revelation	an unveiling	a revelation	7
`G602-01`	ἀποκαλύψει	apokalupsei	`N DAT F SG`	revelation	to an unveiling	to a revelation	5
`G602-04`	ἀποκαλύψεως	apokalupseos	`N GEN F SG`	revelation	of unveiling	of revelation	3
`G602-03`	ἀποκαλύψεων	apokalupseon	`N GEN F PL`	revelations	of unveilings	unveilings	1
`G602-06`	ἀποκάλυψις	apokalupsis	`N NOM F SG`	revelation	unveiling	unveiling	1
`G602-02`	ἀποκαλύψεις	apokalupseis	`N ACC F PL`	revelations	unveilings	revelations	1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G602-05`	Luke 2:32	ἀποκάλυψιν	apokalupsin	`N ACC F SG`	revelation	an unveiling	a revelation
`G602-04`	Romans 2:5	ἀποκαλύψεως	apokalupseos	`N GEN F SG`	revelation	of unveiling	of revelation
`G602-05`	Romans 8:19	ἀποκάλυψιν	apokalupsin	`N ACC F SG`	revealing	an unveiling	a revelation
`G602-05`	Romans 16:25	ἀποκάλυψιν	apokalupsin	`N ACC F SG`	revelation	an unveiling	a revelation
`G602-05`	1 Corinthians 1:7	ἀποκάλυψιν	apokalupsin	`N ACC F SG`	revelation	an unveiling	a revelation
`G602-01`	1 Corinthians 14:6	ἀποκαλύψει	apokalupsei	`N DAT F SG`	revelation	to an unveiling	to a revelation
`G602-05`	1 Corinthians 14:26	ἀποκάλυψιν	apokalupsin	`N ACC F SG`	a revelation	an unveiling	a revelation
`G602-02`	2 Corinthians 12:1	ἀποκαλύψεις	apokalupseis	`N ACC F PL`	revelations	unveilings	revelations
`G602-03`	2 Corinthians 12:7	ἀποκαλύψεων	apokalupseon	`N GEN F PL`	revelations	of unveilings	unveilings
`G602-04`	Galatians 1:12	ἀποκαλύψεως	apokalupseos	`N GEN F SG`	revelation	of unveiling	of revelation
`G602-05`	Galatians 2:2	ἀποκάλυψιν	apokalupsin	`N ACC F SG`	a revelation	an unveiling	a revelation
`G602-04`	Ephesians 1:17	ἀποκαλύψεως	apokalupseos	`N GEN F SG`	of revelation	of unveiling	of revelation
`G602-05`	Ephesians 3:3	ἀποκάλυψιν	apokalupsin	`N ACC F SG`	revelation	an unveiling	a revelation
`G602-01`	2 Thessalonians 1:7	ἀποκαλύψει	apokalupsei	`N DAT F SG`	revelation	to an unveiling	to a revelation
`G602-01`	1 Peter 1:7	ἀποκαλύψει	apokalupsei	`N DAT F SG`	the revelation	to an unveiling	to a revelation
`G602-01`	1 Peter 1:13	ἀποκαλύψει	apokalupsei	`N DAT F SG`	revelation	to an unveiling	to a revelation
`G602-01`	1 Peter 4:13	ἀποκαλύψει	apokalupsei	`N DAT F SG`	revelation	to an unveiling	to a revelation
`G602-06`	Revelation 1:1	ἀποκάλυψις	apokalupsis	`N NOM F SG`	revelation	unveiling	unveiling

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