Understanding ἀποκρύπτω (apokryptō) Strong’s G613: Unveiling Divine Wisdom and God’s Mysterious Ways

Pronunciation Guide: ap-ok-roop’-to

Basic Definition

Strong’s G613: ἀποκρύπτω (apokryptō) means to hide away completely, to conceal thoroughly from view or understanding. This compound verb emphasizes the deliberate and complete nature of concealment, often with the nuance of divine purpose in the hiding. In biblical usage, it frequently describes God’s sovereign choice to hide or reveal spiritual truths.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: ἀπό (away from) + κρύπτω (to hide/conceal)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in narrative and teaching passages
• Voice: Active, Middle, Passive forms present

ἀποκρύπτω Morphology:

• ἀποκρύπτω (present active indicative) – I hide completely
• ἀπέκρυψα (aorist active indicative) – I hid completely
• ἀποκέκρυπται (perfect passive indicative) – has been hidden completely
• ἀποκρύψας (aorist active participle) – having hidden completely
• ἀποκρυβῆναι (aorist passive infinitive) – to be hidden completely

Origin & History

ἀποκρύπτω appears in classical Greek literature as early as the 5th century BCE, where it was used to describe the physical act of hiding objects or concealing information. Xenophon employs it in his “Anabasis” to describe soldiers hiding their weapons, while Plato uses it metaphorically in “Republic” to discuss the concealment of knowledge.

In the Septuagint, ἀποκρύπτω translates several Hebrew words related to hiding, particularly סתר (satar) and טמן (taman). It appears in contexts where God conceals wisdom from the proud (Psalm 119:19) or where prophets hide themselves from danger.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Complete concealment with purpose
• Divine withholding of wisdom or knowledge
• Strategic hiding for protection or revelation
• Thorough covering or obscuring from view

ἀποκρύπτω Translation Options:

• “to hide completely” – emphasizes thoroughness of concealment
• “to conceal purposefully” – highlights intentionality
• “to keep secret” – focuses on withholding information
• “to veil from understanding” – stresses spiritual perception aspects

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀποκρύπτω often appears in contexts discussing God’s sovereign choice to conceal or reveal spiritual truth. Its first appearance in Matthew 11:25 is particularly significant, where Jesus praises the Father for hiding truth from the wise and revealing it to children.

The word carries theological weight in Paul’s epistles, where it’s used to describe God’s eternal wisdom that was previously hidden but now revealed in Christ. This usage creates a powerful tension between divine concealment and revelation.

• “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden [ἀπέκρυψας] these things from the wise and intelligent” Matthew 11:25
• “the mystery which has been hidden [ἀποκεκρυμμένον] from the past ages” Colossians 1:26
• “in whom are hidden [ἀπόκρυφοι] all the treasures of wisdom” Colossians 2:3

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish thought, the concept of הסתר פנים (hester panim) or “the hiding of God’s face” was well-established. This theological concept helped explain periods when God seemed distant or His purposes unclear. ἀποκρύπτω in the New Testament often carries these cultural overtones, suggesting not just simple concealment but a divine purpose in the hiding.

The word also relates to the Jewish concept of סוד (sod), the deeper, hidden meaning of Scripture that requires spiritual maturity and divine revelation to understand. This connects powerfully to Jesus’ use of ἀποκρύπτω in Matthew 11:25, where divine wisdom is hidden from those who rely on human wisdom alone.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀποκρύπτω reveals a profound aspect of God’s character and His ways of working in human history. It demonstrates that יהוה (Yahweh) is not only a God who reveals but also one who strategically conceals for His purposes. This hiding is never capricious but always serves His redemptive plan.

This word also highlights the paradox of divine revelation – that some truths are hidden in plain sight, visible only to those with eyes of faith. It teaches us that spiritual understanding is not merely a matter of intellectual capacity but of divine grace and humble receptivity.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀποκρύπτω challenges us to approach God’s Word with humility, recognizing that spiritual truth isn’t conquered by human intelligence but received through childlike faith. When we encounter difficult seasons where God’s purposes seem hidden, this word reminds us that such hiding may be part of His perfect plan.

This concept invites us to trust God’s timing in revealing truth to us and others, acknowledging that sometimes His temporary concealment serves a greater purpose in our spiritual formation.

Related Words

• κρύπτω (krypto) – to hide/conceal (simpler form without the intensifying prefix) See G2928
• καλύπτω (kalypto) – to cover/veil (emphasizes covering rather than hiding) See G2572
• θησαυρίζω (thēsaurizo) – to store up/treasure (related to hidden treasures) See G2343
• μυστήριον (mystērion) – mystery (often used for previously hidden divine truths) See G3466

Did you Know?

• The prefix ἀπό in ἀποκρύπτω intensifies the meaning of hiding, suggesting complete or thorough concealment, much like how we might say “totally hidden” in modern English.
• In modern Greek, ἀποκρύπτω is still used, particularly in legal contexts for concealing evidence or in journalism for withholding information, maintaining its ancient sense of purposeful concealment.
• The word played a significant role in early Christian discussions about the “disciplina arcani” – the practice of keeping certain Christian teachings hidden from non-believers, showing how the concept of strategic concealment influenced early church practice.

Remember This

Divine concealment through ἀποκρύπτω is not an obstacle to faith but often the very means by which God deepens it, revealing His wisdom to those who seek Him with humble hearts.