Brief Overview of ἀόρατος (Strong’s G517)

The Greek word ἀόρατος (aóratos) translates to “invisible” or “unseen.” It describes something that cannot be seen with the eyes, either because it is literally invisible or because it is beyond human perception. The term emphasizes the state of being hidden or not perceptible through normal visual means.

Detailed Overview

1. Strong’s Concordance: According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀόρατος means “invisible” or “unseen.” The term is used in the New Testament to describe things or qualities that are beyond human sight. For example, it is used to describe God’s nature as invisible to human eyes, as seen in passages like 1 Timothy 1:17, which refers to God as “the King eternal, immortal, invisible.”
2. Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon: BDAG defines ἀόρατος as “invisible,” emphasizing its use in contexts where something is not visible or perceptible. BDAG provides examples from the New Testament where ἀόρατος is used to describe aspects of divine reality or spiritual truths that are beyond human sight. This includes references to the invisible nature of God and spiritual realities.
3. Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon: LSJ defines ἀόρατος as “invisible” or “not to be seen.” It includes classical examples where the term is used to describe things that are not visible to the human eye. In biblical contexts, it describes things that are hidden or beyond human perception, particularly in relation to divine or spiritual matters.
4. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon: Thayer’s defines ἀόρατος as “invisible” and notes its application in describing things that are not seen or perceived by the human eye. Thayer’s provides biblical examples, such as the use of the term in describing God’s nature as unseen and the spiritual realm, reinforcing its meaning as something beyond physical sight.

In summary, ἀόρατος (aóratos) means “invisible” or “unseen,” describing things that are beyond human visual perception. Definitions from Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, LSJ, and Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon highlight its use in both classical and biblical contexts to describe the hidden or imperceptible nature of certain things, especially in relation to divine and spiritual realities.