Pronunciation Guide: akh-loos' (with a guttural 'kh' sound)

Basic Definition

Strong's G887: ἀχλύς (achlys) refers to a mist or darkness that falls upon the eyes, causing temporary blindness. In its biblical context, it specifically describes a supernatural darkening of vision as a form of divine judgment. This rare term appears only once in the New Testament, where it depicts God's power manifested through the Apostle Paul when confronting a sorcerer who opposed the gospel message.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (feminine)
• Origin: Ancient Greek
• Used in narrative sections of Acts
• Related to Greek mythology where Achlys was the personification of misery and sadness
• Appears in medical literature describing eye conditions
• Used metaphorically in classical literature to describe confusion or obscurity

ἀχλύς Morphology:

• ἀχλύς (nominative singular) – mist, darkness
• ἀχλύος (genitive singular) – of mist/darkness
• ἀχλύι (dative singular) – with/by mist/darkness
• ἀχλύν (accusative singular) – mist, darkness (direct object)

Origin & History

The term ἀχλύς has a rich history in classical Greek literature before its biblical usage. Homer employed this word in the Iliad (Book 20, line 421) to describe the mist that gods would cast over heroes to protect them from danger or to signify divine intervention in battles. In Greek mythology, Achlys was personified as the goddess of the death-mist, representing the grief and suffering that precedes death.

In medical contexts, the renowned physician Hippocrates (circa 460-370 BCE) used ἀχλύς in his treatise "On Vision" to describe cataracts or clouding of the eyes. The Hippocratic Corpus contains references to ἀχλύς as a medical condition affecting vision, often associated with fever or head injuries. This medical usage adds depth to Luke's choice of this term in Acts, as Luke himself was a physician who would have been familiar with medical terminology.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A literal mist or fog that obscures physical vision
• A supernatural darkening of the eyes as divine judgment
• A metaphorical clouding of understanding or perception
• A medical condition affecting the eyes

ἀχλύς Translation Options:

• Mist - Emphasizes the temporary and ethereal nature of the condition
• Darkness - Highlights the complete obstruction of vision
• Blindness - Focuses on the resulting disability rather than the cause
• Haze - Suggests a partial or gradual obscuring of vision
• Veil - Captures the metaphorical sense of something covering the eyes

Biblical Usage

The term ἀχλύς appears only once in the entire New Testament, in Acts 13:11, making it one of the New Testament's hapax legomena (words that occur only once). In this passage, Paul confronts Elymas the sorcerer, who was attempting to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus away from faith. As a sign of God's judgment against this opposition to the gospel, Paul pronounces that the hand of the Lord will be against Elymas, and he will be blind for a time. The text then states that immediately an ἀχλύς fell upon him, and he sought people to lead him by the hand.

Luke's choice of this specific term rather than the more common words for blindness (such as τυφλός) is significant. By using ἀχλύς, Luke conveys that this was not merely a loss of sight but a supernatural mist or darkness sent by God as both judgment and sign. This specific terminology also emphasizes the temporary nature of the condition, aligning with Paul's pronouncement that Elymas would be blind "for a time."

• "And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time." Immediately mist and darkness [ἀχλύς] fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand." Acts 13:11

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, blindness carried significant cultural implications beyond the physical disability. Vision was associated with knowledge, understanding, and divine favor, while blindness often symbolized ignorance, spiritual darkness, or divine judgment. The temporary nature of Elymas' blindness served as both punishment and potential path to repentance—a physical representation of his spiritual condition as one who was opposing the truth of God.

The cultural context of Acts 13 is particularly significant as this confrontation occurred in Paphos on Cyprus, a center for various religious practices including worship of Aphrodite. Cyprus was known for its sorcerers and magicians, and Elymas (also called Bar-Jesus) was likely engaged in practices combining elements of Judaism with pagan magical arts. The public nature of this miraculous judgment would have made a powerful impression on observers, particularly the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus, who is described as an intelligent man. For a Roman official to witness the power of God through Paul defeating a sorcerer would have been a compelling demonstration that יהוה (Yahweh) was superior to the magical powers that were prevalent in that culture.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀχλύς in Acts 13:11 reflects a powerful theological motif that appears throughout Scripture: physical blindness as a metaphor for spiritual blindness, with healing representing spiritual enlightenment. In this instance, the physical blindness inflicted on Elymas paralleled his spiritual condition—he was already blind to the truth of the gospel and was actively attempting to prevent others from seeing it.

This passage demonstrates God's sovereignty over human opposition to His purposes. The Messiah Jesus had commissioned Paul to be a light to the Gentiles, and here we see divine power backing that commission when it was challenged. The supernatural nature of this judgment shows that God will not allow His redemptive purposes to be thwarted by human schemes. Yet, the temporary nature of the blindness also reflects God's mercy—even in judgment, there remained the possibility of repentance for Elymas.

The incident also reveals important aspects of spiritual warfare in the early church. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, discerned the spiritual reality behind Elymas' opposition, identifying him as a "son of the devil" and "enemy of all righteousness." This confrontation was not merely between two individuals with different religious views but represented the cosmic conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness.

Personal Application

The story of Elymas' blindness invites us to examine our own spiritual vision. Are there areas in our lives where an ἀχλύς—a mist of confusion, deception, or willful ignorance—prevents us from seeing God's truth clearly? Just as Elymas experienced physical blindness that mirrored his spiritual condition, we too may need to recognize where we have been blinded by pride, self-interest, or worldly wisdom.

This account also reminds us that opposition to God's work is serious and consequential. When we find ourselves resisting God's revealed truth or hindering others in their spiritual journey, we risk experiencing His discipline. Yet even in discipline, God's mercy shines through—the temporary nature of Elymas' blindness suggests that God's ultimate purpose was restoration, not permanent punishment. Whatever spiritual darkness we may experience, God invites us to turn to Him for healing and restoration of our spiritual sight.

Related Words

• τυφλός (typhlos, pronounced toof-los') – physically blind or spiritually blind; refers to a permanent condition rather than the temporary mist of ἀχλύς; used metaphorically for spiritual blindness. See G5185
• σκοτία (skotia, pronounced sko-tee'-ah) – darkness, especially moral darkness; broader concept than ἀχλύς, referring to spiritual darkness more generally rather than a specific mist affecting vision. See G4653
• πώρωσις (porosis, pronounced po'-ro-sis) – hardness, callousness, blindness; specifically refers to spiritual blindness caused by hardening of the heart, whereas ἀχλύς is a physical manifestation. See G4457
• σκότος (skotos, pronounced sko'-tos) – darkness, gloom; more comprehensive than ἀχλύς, referring to darkness in general rather than specifically a mist affecting the eyes. See G4655
• πηρόω (peroo, pronounced pay-ro'-o) – to blind or maim; focuses on the action of blinding someone, while ἀχλύς describes the condition or substance causing blindness. See G4456

Did you Know?

• Did you know that in ancient Greek medicine, conditions similar to ἀχλύς were sometimes treated with herbal remedies? Physicians like Dioscorides recommended the application of certain plant extracts to clear the "mist" from patients' eyes. This medical context adds depth to the readers' understanding of what Elymas experienced—a condition recognized in the ancient world, yet in this case caused supernaturally rather than by natural causes.
• Did you know that in Homer's Iliad, the goddess Athena removes an ἀχλύς from the eyes of the warrior Diomedes to allow him to see divine beings on the battlefield? This mythological reference presents an interesting contrast to the biblical account—whereas in Greek mythology, the removal of ἀχλύς enhanced vision beyond normal human capacity, in Acts, the placing of ἀχλύς removed normal vision as a sign of divine judgment.
• Did you know that the concept of temporary blindness as a pathway to spiritual insight has parallels throughout Scripture? The most notable example is Saul (later Paul) himself, who experienced blindness for three days following his encounter with the risen Messiah on the Damascus Road. This parallel suggests that Paul may have seen in Elymas' situation a reflection of his own experience—a divine intervention that used temporary physical blindness as a means to potentially bring about spiritual sight.

Remember This

ἀχλύς reminds us that sometimes God must temporarily darken our natural vision so that we might gain true spiritual sight.