Brief Overview of σκοτεινός (Strong’s G4652: skoteinos)

Strong’s G4652: An adjective meaning dark, full of darkness, or characterized by darkness. Derived from σκότος (darkness), it describes both physical and spiritual darkness. In NT usage, particularly significant in Jesus’s teaching about spiritual blindness and the contrast between light and darkness.

U- Unveiling the Word

σκοτεινός carries profound significance in both its literal and metaphorical applications. While primarily denoting physical darkness, its theological weight in the New Testament centers on spiritual blindness and moral darkness. Jesus employs this term in His teaching about the eye as the lamp of the body, using physical darkness to illustrate spiritual condition. Early church fathers extensively used this word when discussing spiritual blindness, moral corruption, and the state of the unregenerate soul. Today, it continues to serve as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual state of those living apart from Christ’s light.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: σκοτεινός, skoteinos, /skot-i-nos’/
• Detailed pronunciation: ‘skot’ as in “Scott,” ‘i’ as in “it,” ‘nos’ as in “nose”
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• Root: σκοτ- (skot-) – from σκότος (darkness)
• Suffix: -εινός (-einos) – adjectival ending indicating fullness or characterization
• Used to form adjectives describing the nature or quality of something

D – Defining Meanings

• Full of darkness
• Dark, obscure
• Spiritually or morally dark

For compound words: Not a compound word, but formed from the root σκοτ- with the adjectival suffix -εινός indicating the quality of being full of darkness

Translation Options:

• “Full of darkness” – Best captures the fullness implied by the -εινός suffix
• “Dark” – Simple but may miss the intensive quality
• “Darkened” – Captures the resultant state

E – Exploring Similar Words

• σκοτία (skotia) /skot-ee’-ah/ – darkness as a state or condition See G4653
• σκότος (skotos) /skot’-os/ – darkness, gloom See G4655
• σκοτόω (skotoō) /skot-o’-o/ – to darken See G4656

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As an adjective:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: Second/First

Examples:

• Masculine: σκοτεινός (dark)
• Feminine: σκοτεινή (dark)
• Neuter: σκοτεινόν (dark)
• Cross-references: Related noun σκότος and verb σκοτόω

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both physical and metaphorical darkness in NT usage. Thayer’s highlights its connection to spiritual blindness. LSJ provides extensive classical examples of both literal and metaphorical usage. Vine’s connects it to moral and spiritual darkness. Strong’s emphasizes its derivation from σκότος. Moulton and Milligan note its common usage in papyri describing physical darkness. LEH traces its Septuagint usage in contexts of judgment and spiritual condition.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness [σκοτεινός].” Matthew 6:23

Additional References:
Luke 11:34
Luke 11:36

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

σκοτεινός powerfully illustrates the spiritual condition of humanity apart from Christ. Jesus uses this word to show how spiritual blindness affects our entire being. This promotes the Gospel by highlighting our need for His light and the transformation He brings, moving us from darkness to His marvelous light. It reminds us that without Christ we remain in darkness, but in Him, we become children of light.

D – Did You Know?

1. The suffix -εινός in σκοτεινός is one of the strongest Greek suffixes for indicating fullness or completeness.
2. Ancient Greek medical writers used this term to describe various eye conditions affecting vision.
3. Early Christian baptismal liturgies often contrasted σκοτεινός with φωτεινός (full of light) to describe the transformation of conversion.

Strong’s G4652: An adjective denoting complete darkness, whether physical or spiritual. Used in NT teaching about spiritual blindness and moral darkness. Particularly significant in Jesus’s teachings about the eye as the lamp of the body and the contrast between spiritual light and darkness.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: darkness, spiritual-blindness, light-and-darkness, moral-darkness, jesus-teaching, eye, lamp-of-body, spiritual-condition, conversion, transformation, biblical-greek, new-testament, metaphor​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​