Brief Overview of ἀναφαίνω (Strong’s G398:)

The Greek verb ἀναφαίνω (anaphainō) means “to shine forth,” “to make visible,” or “to reveal.” It is derived from the prefix ἀνά (ana), meaning “up” or “again,” and the root φαίνω (phainō), meaning “to shine” or “to appear.” The term generally refers to the act of making something visible or apparent, often by causing it to shine or become evident.

Detailed Overview

According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀναφαίνω (G398) is used in the New Testament to describe the action of making something visible or shining forth. For example, in Luke 11:33, it is used in the context of a lamp shining out in a house, metaphorically referring to the visibility of one’s actions or the manifestation of light. This use conveys the idea of something becoming evident or revealed.

The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon provides further context by noting that ἀναφαίνω involves making something visible or revealing it in a clear and noticeable way. BDAG highlights its application in contexts where visibility or revelation is emphasized, such as in the figurative sense of making moral or spiritual truths apparent.

The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon supports this interpretation by describing ἀναφαίνω as relating to the act of making something shine forth or become visible. The lexicon emphasizes its use in contexts where the visibility or revelation of something is the focus, whether literal or metaphorical.

In summary, ἀναφαίνω primarily means “to shine forth,” “to make visible,” or “to reveal,” reflecting the act of making something apparent or evident. This meaning is consistently supported by Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing context for its use in describing the visibility and revelation of things in biblical and classical Greek literature.