Brief Overview of σκοτόω (Strong’s G4656: skotoō)

Strong’s G4656: A verb meaning to darken completely or thoroughly. From σκότος (darkness), it represents a total darkening or obscuring. In NT usage, appears in Revelation’s apocalyptic context, describing divine judgment through complete darkness, emphasizing God’s sovereign power over both physical and spiritual realms.

U- Unveiling the Word

σκοτόω represents the action of complete darkening, carrying stronger emphasis than related words for darkening. Its single appearance in Revelation’s fifth bowl judgment highlights its intensity – this is no partial darkness but a complete blackout of the beast’s kingdom. Early church fathers used this term when discussing God’s judgment on spiritual darkness and rebellion. Today, it serves as a powerful reminder of God’s ultimate authority over both physical and spiritual darkness, and His final judgment on systems opposed to His kingdom.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: σκοτόω, skotoō, /skot-o’-o/
• Detailed pronunciation: ‘skot’ as in “Scott,” ‘o’ as in “oh,” ‘o’ as in “oh”
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Root: σκοτ- (skot-) – from σκότος (darkness)
• Suffix: -όω (-oō) – verbal ending indicating thorough or complete action
• Forms intensive verb meaning “to darken thoroughly”

D – Defining Meanings

• To darken completely
• To blacken thoroughly
• To obscure totally

For compound words: Not a compound word, but formed from root σκοτ- with intensive verbal suffix -όω

Translation Options:

• “To darken completely” – Best captures the thoroughness implied by -όω suffix
• “To blacken totally” – Emphasizes the completeness of the action
• “To plunge into darkness” – Captures the suddenness and totality

E – Exploring Similar Words

• σκοτίζω (skotizō) /skot-id’-zo/ – to darken, less intensive See G4654
• ἀμαυρόω (amauroo) /am-ow-ro’-o/ – to dim or dull See G282
• συσκοτάζω (suskotazō) /soos-kot-ad’-zo/ – to grow dark together See G4762

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, σκοτόω exhibits:

• Tense: Present, Aorist, Perfect
• Voice: Active, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Imperfective (Present), Perfective (Aorist)

Examples:

• σκοτόω – I darken completely (Present Active)
• ἐσκοτώθη – was completely darkened (Aorist Passive)
• σκοτωθήσεται – will be completely darkened (Future Passive)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the thoroughness of the darkening action. Thayer’s notes its intensive force compared to σκοτίζω. LSJ traces its use in classical literature for complete darkness. Vine’s highlights its single NT usage in judgment context. Strong’s connects it to the thoroughness implied by the -όω suffix. Moulton and Milligan document its use in severe contexts in papyri. LEH notes its appearance in Septuagint judgment passages.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness [σκοτόω]; and they gnawed their tongues for pain” Revelation 16:10

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

σκοτόω powerfully illustrates God’s ultimate authority over darkness itself. Its appearance in Revelation’s judgment scenes shows that even the deepest darkness serves His purposes. This promotes the Gospel by revealing that Christ’s kingdom will triumph over all opposing powers, encouraging believers to trust in His final victory over evil.

D – Did You Know?

1. The -όω suffix makes this the most intensive form of darkening in biblical Greek.
2. Its single NT appearance occurs at a crucial moment in Revelation’s bowl judgments.
3. Early Christian apocalyptic literature often used this term for final judgment scenes.

Strong’s G4656: A verb denoting complete or thorough darkening, used only once in NT in Revelation’s judgment context. Emphasizes total, not partial, darkness. The intensive form highlights divine power to bring complete darkness upon the kingdom of evil.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: darkness, judgment, apocalyptic, revelation, divine-power, beast, bowl-judgments, eschatology, victory, darkness-total, biblical-greek, new-testament, judgment-scene, sovereignty​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​