Brief Overview of διαφανής (G1307: diaphanḗs)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διαφανής (diaphanḗs) [dee-ah-fah-NAYS]
• Etymology: From the root words διά (G1223: diá) meaning through and φαίνω (G5316: phaínō) meaning to shine, to appear. The compound form suggests something that is shining through, or more precisely, transparent or clear.
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• Transparent or clear: Refers to something that allows light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen, emphasizing clarity and visibility.
• Evident or manifest: Implies that something is clear or obvious, easily understood or perceived.
• Shining through: Suggests a state of being open, unobstructed, or easily penetrable by light or other forms of perception.

Further Insights

• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative

Further Insights Explained:

• The word διαφανής is an adjective that can modify nouns of any gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) and can be used in various cases depending on its function in the sentence. It describes something that is transparent, clear, or evident, suggesting visibility or openness. The flexibility of its form allows it to be used in a wide range of contexts to describe things that are easily seen, understood, or perceived.

Disclaimer: The morphological details provided above reflect the potential forms of διαφανής in its adjectival use. The specific form used in a sentence will depend on the gender, number, and case of the noun it modifies.

Lexicon Descriptions

BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich):

• διαφανής is defined as transparent, clear, or evident. The term is used to describe something that allows light to pass through or is otherwise open and easily understood.
• Scripture References: The term is rare in the New Testament, with no specific verses commonly associated.

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Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer describes διαφανής as meaning transparent or manifest, emphasizing clarity or visibility. The term can also imply something that is obvious or apparent, easily recognized or perceived.
• Scripture References: Not specifically cited in the New Testament.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s explains that διαφανής refers to something that is clear, transparent, or evident, particularly in the sense of being open to perception or understanding.
• Scripture References: Not commonly cited in the New Testament.

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ defines διαφανής as transparent or clear, especially with regard to something that is easily seen through or understood. It is used both literally (e.g., transparent objects) and metaphorically (e.g., evident truths).
• Scripture References: The term is rare in biblical contexts, with no specific verses highlighted.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s defines διαφανής as a compound word from διά (G1223: diá) and φαίνω (G5316: phaínō), meaning transparent, clear, or evident. It is used to describe something that is easily seen or understood, whether in a literal or figurative sense.
• Scripture References: Not specifically cited in the New Testament.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Plato, Timaeus: Plato uses διαφανής to describe the transparency of certain elements in the physical world, emphasizing the concept of clarity and visibility as essential qualities of certain materials.
• Aristotle, Meteorology: Aristotle employs the term to describe atmospheric phenomena, where air is described as διαφανής, allowing light to pass through and making objects visible at a distance.
• Xenophon, Memorabilia: Xenophon uses διαφανής metaphorically to describe moral virtues that are evident or manifest in the actions of a person, suggesting that these qualities are clear and recognizable.

Summary

διαφανής (G1307: diaphanḗs) is a Greek adjective that primarily means transparent, clear, or evident. Derived from διά (through) and φαίνω (to shine, to appear), the term emphasizes the quality of allowing light or understanding to pass through unobstructed. In classical Greek literature, διαφανής is used both literally, to describe physical transparency, and metaphorically, to describe clarity of thought, moral virtues, or evident truths. While rare in the New Testament, the term is significant in Greek thought for its emphasis on visibility, openness, and clarity. Whether describing the physical world or abstract concepts, διαφανής captures the essence of something that is unmistakably clear, easily seen, or thoroughly understood.