Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is essential for grasping the full depth of the text and its cultural context. The Greek word λευκαίνω (leukaínō) is particularly significant as it appears in Mark 9:3, describing the transfiguration of Jesus. The term, meaning “to whiten” or “to make white,” carries connotations of purity, divine presence, and transformation. This word not only enriches our understanding of the New Testament’s portrayal of holiness and transformation but also gives insight into ancient Greek and Jewish concepts of cleanliness, light, and spiritual elevation.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: λευκαίνω (leukaínō) [pronounced loo-KAI-noh].

Etymology: The word λευκαίνω comes from the root λευκός (leukós), meaning “white.” The suffix -αίνω (-aínō) is a verb form that indicates causing or making something to become a certain way. Thus, λευκαίνω essentially means “to make white” or “to whiten.”

Part of Speech: Verb. λευκαίνω is a verb that follows the standard conjugation patterns in Greek, specifically in the present tense, active voice, and indicative mood.

The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

1. To Whiten or Make White: The primary meaning of λευκαίνω is “to whiten,” referring to making something white or bright. This could be used literally, such as in whitening clothing, or metaphorically, in terms of spiritual purification or illumination.
2. To Cleanse or Purify: By extension, λευκαίνω can also imply cleansing or purifying something, drawing on the symbolic association of white with purity and holiness in both Greek and Jewish thought.

Exploring Similar Words

1. καθαίρω (kathaírō) [pronounced ka-THAI-roh]: Means “to cleanse” or “to purify.” While both words involve the idea of making something clean or pure, καθαίρω emphasizes the act of cleansing from impurities, whereas λευκαίνω focuses on making something white and bright.
2. φωτίζω (phōtízō) [pronounced fo-TEE-zoh]: Means “to illuminate” or “to make shine.” While φωτίζω is about bringing light or enlightenment, λευκαίνω involves the visual aspect of becoming bright or white, often implying purity.
3. λαμπρύνω (lamprýnō) [pronounced lam-PROO-noh]: Means “to make bright” or “to make splendid.” While λαμπρύνω suggests brilliance and glory, λευκαίνω focuses specifically on the color white and its symbolic associations.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

λευκαίνω is a regular verb in Ancient Greek that follows standard morphological rules:

• Tense, Voice, Mood: λευκαίνω can appear in various tenses (present, future, aorist, etc.), voices (active, middle, passive), and moods (indicative, subjunctive, imperative, etc.). In Mark 9:3, it is used in the aorist passive form, indicating an action that was completed.
• Person and Number: This verb is conjugated based on person (first, second, third) and number (singular, plural). For example, in the Present Indicative Active:

To learn more about Greek verb conjugation, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

The word λευκαίνω is analyzed across several Greek lexicons, each shedding light on its varied nuances. The primary understanding focuses on its usage to describe physical whiteness, as seen in the transfiguration of Jesus in Mark 9:3, where His clothes “became exceedingly white.” This event symbolically emphasizes divine purity and glory. In a theological context, λευκαίνω can also suggest spiritual transformation or purification, aligning with the concept of sanctification in Christian thought. In classical Greek, λευκαίνω is sometimes used more literally, in contexts such as dyeing or cleaning clothes, but the New Testament usage elevates it to a realm of spiritual metaphor.
This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Mark 9:3 – “And His raiment became shining, exceeding white [λευκαίνω] as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.”
2. Revelation 7:14 – “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white [λευκαίνω] in the blood of the Lamb.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

λευκαίνω (leukaínō) is a verb that means “to whiten” or “to make white,” conveying themes of purity, divine transformation, and spiritual cleansing. Its appearance in Mark 9:3 during the Transfiguration highlights the glorification of Jesus, serving as a powerful metaphor for divine presence and holiness. Understanding λευκαίνω offers valuable insights into the symbolic language of the New Testament and the cultural meanings attached to color and purity in the ancient world.

Did You Know?

• Fact 1: The term λευκαίνω is related to the modern word “leukemia,” a disease named for the “whiteness” of abnormal blood cells.
• Fact 2: In the Septuagint, λευκαίνω often translates Hebrew words related to purity and spiritual cleansing.
• Fact 3: The process of “whitening” in ancient times could involve bleaching or other methods to achieve a symbolic state of cleanliness or readiness, often used in religious rituals.