1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apókryphos

Root Words: Derived from ἀπό (apo), meaning “from” or “away from,” and κρύπτω (kryptō), meaning “to hide” or “to conceal.” Thus, ἀπόκρυφος means “hidden” or “concealed.”

Primary Meanings:

• Hidden or concealed.
• Secret or not openly known.
• Often used to describe something not publicly revealed or something kept out of sight.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀπόκρυφος as “hidden” or “concealed.” It is used to describe something that is secret or not openly visible, emphasizing its hidden nature.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀπόκρυφος as “hidden” or “secret.” It refers to things that are not immediately visible or known, often implying a deliberate concealment.

Vines: According to Vines’ Expository Dictionary, ἀπόκρυφος means “hidden” or “secret,” focusing on its application to things kept from public view or knowledge.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ defines ἀπόκρυφος as “hidden” or “concealed,” noting its use in classical Greek to describe objects or information that are not visible or known.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀπόκρυφος as “hidden” or “concealed,” emphasizing its role in describing things kept secret or out of sight.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

Aristotle (Metaphysics, 4th century BCE): Aristotle uses related terms to discuss hidden or concealed aspects of reality, exploring the concept of what is not immediately apparent.

Plato (Phaedo, 4th century BCE): Plato employs similar terms to describe hidden or concealed knowledge in philosophical dialogues, emphasizing the distinction between visible and hidden truths.

Herodotus (Histories, 5th century BCE): Herodotus uses related terms to discuss hidden or concealed information about historical events, illustrating the concept of secrecy in historical accounts.

4. Summary:

The Greek word ἀπόκρυφος (Apókryphos) means “hidden” or “concealed.” It refers to things that are not openly visible or known, often implying a deliberate act of keeping information or objects out of sight. In classical Greek literature, it is used to describe hidden aspects of reality, knowledge, or historical information. The term conveys the idea of secrecy or concealment, illustrating its application in various historical and literary contexts.