Understanding δηλόω (deloō) Strong’s G1213: The Divine Revelation that Brings Clarity and Manifests Truth

Pronunciation Guide: deh-LO-oh (with emphasis on the second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1213: The Greek verb δηλόω (deloō) fundamentally means “to make clear, to reveal, to manifest, or to make known.” It signifies the act of bringing something from obscurity into plain understanding or visibility. In biblical contexts, it often carries the connotation of divine revelation—God making His truth evident to human understanding through clear declaration or demonstration.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root: Derived from δῆλος (dēlos) meaning “clear, evident, manifest”
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Epistolary literature, narrative accounts, and prophetic declarations
• Voice: Often used in active and passive voices to indicate both the act of revealing and the state of being revealed
• Tense Usage: Frequently appears in aorist tense (completed action) and perfect tense (completed action with continuing results)

δηλόω Morphology:

• δηλῶ (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I make clear/reveal
• δηλοῖς (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you make clear/reveal
• δηλοῖ (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it makes clear/reveals
• δηλοῦμεν (present active indicative, 1st person plural) – we make clear/reveal
• δηλοῦτε (present active indicative, 2nd person plural) – you all make clear/reveal
• δηλοῦσι(ν) (present active indicative, 3rd person plural) – they make clear/reveal
• ἐδήλωσα (aorist active indicative, 1st person singular) – I made clear/revealed
• δεδήλωκα (perfect active indicative, 1st person singular) – I have made clear/revealed
• δηλοῦται (present passive indicative, 3rd person singular) – it is being made clear/revealed
• ἐδηλώθη (aorist passive indicative, 3rd person singular) – it was made clear/revealed

Origin & History

The verb δηλόω has a rich history in classical Greek literature, where it was commonly used to indicate the act of making something evident or bringing clarity to a situation. In the works of Herodotus (5th century BC), the term appears frequently when describing how certain facts or situations were “made clear” to individuals. Similarly, Thucydides employs δηλόω when recounting how intentions or circumstances were revealed during the Peloponnesian War.

In the Septuagint (LXX), δηλόω takes on additional theological significance, often appearing in contexts where divine revelation or guidance is being communicated. For instance, in 1 Samuel 3:21 (LXX), the text states that “יהוה (Yahweh) was revealed (ἐδηλώθη)” to Samuel, highlighting the verb’s connection to divine self-disclosure. By the time of the New Testament, this term had developed a nuanced semantic range that encompassed both everyday clarification and profound spiritual revelation, making it particularly suitable for conveying how God makes His truth known to believers.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To make clear or evident – Bringing something from obscurity into plain understanding
• To reveal or manifest – Making visible what was previously hidden or unknown
• To declare openly – Proclaiming with clarity and certainty
• To signify or indicate – Pointing to a meaning or truth
• To demonstrate or show – Providing evidence that leads to understanding

δηλόω Translation Options:

• Reveal – Emphasizes the unveiling aspect, bringing to light what was previously hidden. This translation best captures contexts where new understanding emerges.
• Declare clearly – Highlights the communicative aspect, focusing on the precision and certainty of what is being conveyed. Appropriate when the emphasis is on authoritative pronouncement.
• Make known – Balances revelation with communication, suggesting both discovery and dissemination. Useful for contexts involving shared knowledge.
• Manifest – Stresses the visible demonstration aspect, showing rather than merely telling. Best used when evidence or proof is emphasized.
• Indicate plainly – Focuses on the pointing or signifying function. Appropriate when the word is used to designate or identify something specific.

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, δηλόω appears 7 times, primarily in the Pauline epistles. Its usage consistently carries the sense of making something clearly known, often with divine implications. In 1 Corinthians, Paul frequently employs this term when discussing how information or spiritual truths have been communicated or revealed, whether through human messengers or divine inspiration.

The verb takes on particular theological significance in contexts related to the Holy Spirit’s work of revelation (1 Peter 1:11) and God’s communication with His people (Hebrews 9:8). The term bridges human and divine communication, suggesting that when God reveals truth, He does so with clarity and purpose, not in obscurity or confusion. This reflects the character of God as One who desires to be known and understood by His people.

• “For it has been declared [ἐδηλώθη] to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.” 1 Corinthians 1:11
• “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. For who regards [δηλοῖ] you as superior?” 1 Corinthians 4:6-7
• “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed [ἐδήλωσα] the churches of Galatia, so do you also.” 1 Corinthians 16:1
• “The Holy Spirit is signifying [δηλοῦντος] this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing.” Hebrews 9:8
• “But the one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation… so that the church may receive edification. Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edification. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known [δηλωθήσεται] what is played on the flute or on the harp?” 1 Corinthians 14:3-7
• “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of the Messiah within them was indicating [ἐδήλου] as He predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories to follow.” 1 Peter 1:10-11
• “He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach… of which I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested [ἐφανερώθη] to His saints, to whom God willed to make known [γνωρίσαι] what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is the Messiah in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:22, 25-27

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, the concept of clear communication held significant importance in both legal and public contexts. Orators and rhetoricians valued the ability to “make clear” (δηλόω) their arguments in the public assembly (ekklesia) or courtroom. The term carried connotations of authority and credibility—those who could “make things clear” were trusted and respected figures. This cultural backdrop enriches our understanding of Paul’s use of δηλόω in 1 Corinthians 1:11, where he establishes his awareness of their situation through reliable sources.

From a Jewish perspective, the concept of divine revelation is deeply ingrained in Hebrew thought. The Hebrew equivalent idea often expressed through words like גָּלָה (galah – to uncover or reveal) appears throughout the Tanakh in contexts where God discloses His will or truth to His prophets. When the Jewish translators of the Septuagint chose δηλόω to translate these concepts, they connected Greek philosophical clarity with Hebrew revelatory experience. This bridge between cultures helps explain why the New Testament writers, especially Paul with his dual Hellenistic and rabbinical education, found δηλόω so appropriate for describing God’s self-disclosure in the Messiah Jesus.

Theological Significance

The theological implications of δηλόω are profound, particularly in understanding God’s nature as a communicator who desires to be known. Unlike pagan deities who were often portrayed as distant or mysterious, the God of Israel is revealed in Scripture as One who actively makes Himself known—who “declares” (δηλόω) His character, will, and purposes with clarity. This divine attribute of self-disclosure reaches its zenith in the incarnation, where the invisible God becomes visible in the person of the Messiah Jesus, making the Father known (John 1:18).

In the epistles, δηλόω takes on eschatological significance, particularly in Hebrews 9:8 where the Holy Spirit is “signifying” (δηλοῦντος) truths about access to God’s presence. This usage suggests that divine revelation is not merely informational but transformational—God reveals to redeem. When Paul uses this term in 1 Corinthians 1:11 regarding church divisions, he applies this theological concept to practical church life, suggesting that clear revelation should lead to unity and understanding rather than division. Thus, δηλόω connects God’s revelatory character with His redemptive purposes, demonstrating that when God makes things clear, He does so not merely to inform but to transform His people into the image of His Son.

Personal Application

Understanding δηλόω invites us to cultivate both receptivity to divine revelation and clarity in our own communication. As believers, we are called to be attentive to the ways God “makes things clear” to us—through Scripture, prayer, wise counsel, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Rather than seeking mystical experiences that confuse, we can trust that our God communicates with clarity and purpose, desiring us to understand His will and ways.

Moreover, we are called to imitate this divine attribute by “making clear” the gospel to others. In a world of confusion and obfuscation, believers should be known for communication that brings light rather than darkness, clarity rather than confusion. When we speak of the Messiah, we should aim to declare Him plainly, following Paul’s example of not coming with “lofty speech or wisdom” but clearly proclaiming “Jesus the Messiah and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). In this way, our communication becomes a reflection of the God who has so clearly revealed Himself to us.

Related Words

• φανερόω (phaneroō) [fah-neh-RO-oh] – To manifest, make visible or known. While δηλόω emphasizes clarity of understanding, φανερόω focuses more on visible manifestation or appearance. Both terms involve revelation, but φανερόω often has more to do with physical or public display than intellectual comprehension. See G5319
• ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalyptō) [ah-po-kah-LIP-toh] – To uncover, reveal, or disclose. This term carries a sense of unveiling what was previously hidden, often with dramatic or eschatological connotations. While δηλόω focuses on making something evidently clear, ἀποκαλύπτω emphasizes the removal of that which obscures. See G601
• γνωρίζω (gnōrizō) [gnoh-RID-zoh] – To make known, to cause to know. This term focuses on imparting knowledge or acquaintance with something. Whereas δηλόω emphasizes the clarity of what is revealed, γνωρίζω emphasizes the relational aspect of knowledge being shared between persons. See G1107
• σημαίνω (sēmainō) [say-MAI-noh] – To signify, indicate by a sign or token. This word focuses on the use of signs or symbols to communicate meaning. Unlike δηλόω which emphasizes direct clarity, σημαίνω can involve more indirect or symbolic communication. See G4591
• ἑρμηνεύω (hermēneuō) [her-may-NEW-oh] – To interpret or explain. While δηλόω focuses on making something clear or evident in itself, ἑρμηνεύω involves the process of explaining or translating meaning from one form to another. See G2059

Did you Know?

• Did you know? The root word δῆλος (dēlos) from which δηλόω derives was also the name of a significant Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Delos was considered the birthplace of Apollo (god of light, knowledge, and prophecy) and was a major religious center in the ancient world. This geographical connection reinforces the word’s association with bringing things to light or making them evident—like the island itself, which was a bright center of Greek religious life rising visibly from the sea.
• Did you know? In ancient medical writings by Hippocrates and Galen, δηλόω was a technical term used to describe how symptoms “make evident” or “reveal” underlying conditions. This medical usage parallels the spiritual application in Scripture—just as physical symptoms reveal bodily conditions, God’s revelation through Scripture and the Messiah “makes evident” our spiritual condition and His remedy for it. This background may have been particularly relevant to Luke, the physician-author of Luke-Acts, though he tends to use other terms for revelation.
• Did you know? In modern Greek, the derivative word δήλωση (dílosi) retains the core meaning of “declaration” or “statement” and is commonly used for official declarations, tax statements, and formal announcements. This contemporary usage maintains the ancient emphasis on clarity and authority—a δήλωση is not merely an opinion but an official, clear statement of fact or intent. This linguistic continuity shows how the concept of authoritative clarity has remained central to this word family for over two thousand years.

Remember This

When God δηλόω (makes clear) His truth to us, He does so not merely to increase our knowledge but to transform our hearts, uniting divine revelation with human understanding so that we might both know and be known by Him.