Brief Overview of ἀποκάλυψις (G602): Apokalypsis

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apokalypsis

Root Words: Derived from the verb ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalyptō), meaning “to uncover” or “to reveal,” with the suffix -σις (-sis), which forms nouns indicating an action or process. Therefore, ἀποκάλυψις conveys the process or result of uncovering or revealing.

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Primary Meanings:

• The act of uncovering or revealing something previously hidden.
• Revelation or disclosure, particularly of divine or secret knowledge.
• In Christian theology, often refers to the apocalyptic revelation of divine truths, such as those found in the Book of Revelation.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀποκάλυψις as “a revealing, disclosure, or unveiling.” It highlights the term’s use in the context of revealing divine mysteries or truths, particularly in the apocalyptic literature of the New Testament. The emphasis is on the act of making previously hidden or unknown information known.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀποκάλυψις as “a revelation” or “disclosure.” Thayer notes its use in the sense of revealing secrets or divine insights, often in a theological or eschatological context.

Vines: According to Vines’ Expository Dictionary, ἀποκάλυψις means “revelation” or “disclosure,” specifically relating to divine revelations. It is associated with the uncovering of truths that were hidden or unknown before.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ provides definitions such as “a revealing” or “disclosure,” noting its use in classical literature to describe the act of making hidden things known. The term is often applied in contexts involving the revelation of secrets or important information.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀποκάλυψις as “a disclosure” or “revelation,” focusing on the idea of making known what was previously hidden or unknown.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

Plato (Phaedrus, 4th century BCE): Plato uses the term to describe the act of revealing or disclosing philosophical truths or insights, demonstrating its use in the context of uncovering knowledge.

Aristotle (Rhetoric, 4th century BCE): Aristotle employs ἀποκάλυψις to discuss the revelation of important information or truths in rhetorical contexts, illustrating its application in the disclosure of key points.

Herodotus (Histories, 5th century BCE): Herodotus uses the term to describe the revelation of historical facts or truths, showing its use in historical and factual disclosure.

4. Summary:

The Greek word ἀποκάλυψις (Apokalypsis) fundamentally means “revelation” or “disclosure.” It denotes the process of uncovering or making known something that was previously hidden or unknown. In classical literature, it is used to describe the act of revealing important information or truths, whether philosophical, rhetorical, or historical. In Christian theology, it particularly refers to divine revelations, such as those found in the apocalyptic literature of the New Testament.