Introduction

Understanding the nuances of Greek words used in the New Testament can greatly enhance our comprehension of the text, revealing deeper layers of meaning and cultural context. One such word is ἐμφανής (emphanēs), which relates to visibility, clarity, and manifestation. This word is significant not only for its direct implications in the New Testament but also for its broader connections to ancient Greek culture and thought, where the concept of visibility was often linked to the idea of divine revelation or the clarity of truth. The term ἐμφανής plays a role in understanding how appearances and revelations are perceived within the Scriptures, making it an important word to study for both biblical scholars and students of ancient Greek language and culture.

Key Information

• Greek Word: ἐμφανής (emphanēs) [em-FAH-nace]
• Etymology: Derived from the root word φαίνω (phainō), meaning “to shine” or “to appear,” combined with the prefix ἐν- (en-), indicating “in” or “within.” The compound meaning suggests something that appears clearly or is made manifest.
• Part of Speech: Adjective (third declension)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• Visible, Manifest: The primary meaning of ἐμφανής is “visible” or “manifest,” referring to something that is clearly seen or revealed.
• Apparent, Evident: By extension, it also means something that is evident or obvious, often in a context where truth or divine will is being revealed.

Similar Words:

• φανερός (phaneros) [fa-NEH-ros]: This word also means “visible” or “manifest,” but it is more commonly used in the New Testament. While ἐμφανής carries a sense of something becoming visible or clear, φανερός often refers to something already visible or openly revealed.
• δήλος (dēlos) [DAY-los]: Meaning “clear” or “evident,” this word is similar in meaning but often used in more mundane contexts, lacking the potentially divine or revelatory connotations of ἐμφανής.

Further Insights:

• Morphology: As an adjective, ἐμφανής follows the third declension pattern, which is slightly irregular compared to the more common first and second declensions. It can appear in various cases and numbers, depending on its use in a sentence.
• Linguistic Features: The word’s construction from the root φαίνω emphasizes its connection to light and appearance, suggesting not just visibility but clarity and revelation, particularly in contexts where divine truth or knowledge is being made known.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG:
The BDAG lexicon emphasizes the use of ἐμφανής in contexts where something is made manifest or clearly visible, often in connection with divine revelation or the manifestation of God’s will. It is noted for its use in passages dealing with the visible appearance of spiritual truths or realities.

Thayer’s:
Thayer’s lexicon highlights the word’s use in the New Testament, particularly in contexts where it refers to something that has been made clearly visible or manifest, often by divine intervention. Thayer also points out its occasional use in classical Greek literature to describe phenomena that are suddenly revealed or made evident.

Vine’s:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary links ἐμφανής to concepts of revelation and clarity, noting its use in the New Testament to describe the visibility of God’s works or the clarity of divine truth. The lexicon also compares it to other Greek words with similar meanings, highlighting its specific nuance of something being brought into the light.

LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon provides a broader context for the word, showing its use in classical Greek to describe anything that becomes visible or apparent, particularly in a dramatic or sudden way. It is often used in literary contexts to describe the sudden revelation of truth or the appearance of divine beings.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance defines ἐμφανής simply as “manifest” or “apparent,” noting its limited but significant usage in the New Testament. The lexicon underscores the word’s connection to divine revelation and the visibility of spiritual truths.

Scripture References

• John 14:21: “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest (ἐμφανίσω) myself to him.”
• Acts 10:40: “But God raised him on the third day and made him to appear (ἐμφανῆ γενέσθαι),”
• Matthew 27:53: “And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared (ἐμφανές) to many.”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἐμφανής (G1717: emphanēs)

The Greek word ἐμφανής (emphanēs) carries the meaning of being visible, manifest, or evident, particularly in contexts where something is revealed or made clear. In the New Testament, it is used to describe moments of divine revelation or the visible manifestation of spiritual truths. This word is crucial for understanding passages where visibility and clarity are essential, particularly in relation to God’s work and presence. Its usage also connects to broader themes in ancient Greek culture, where visibility was often linked to truth and divine revelation.

Did You Know?

In ancient Greek culture, the concept of something being “made manifest” was often associated with divine revelation. The appearance of gods or the sudden understanding of truth was frequently described using words like ἐμφανής, emphasizing the importance of clarity and visibility in both spiritual and intellectual contexts.