δηλόω (G1213) — Greek Lexicon

δηλόω

dēlóō

G1213 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make clear, to show or reveal plainly; the act of manifesting, demonstrating, or disclosing a thing such that it is unmistakable or evident to others. In contexts, refers to spoken or written communication through which information, truth, or circumstances are clarified or made manifest to an audience. The central sense is to render something evident or manifest, especially in contexts where understanding or recognition is at stake.

Semantic Range

to show clearly, to make manifest, to declare, to reveal, to signify, to make known, to make evident, to demonstrate

Root / Etymology

From the adjective δῆλος (dēlos, 'clear, manifest, evident'), with the causative suffix -όω (-oō), forming a verb meaning 'to make manifest' or 'to show clearly.' The root δῆλ- is of uncertain further origin but attested from early Greek in forms denoting mental or visual clarity.

Historical & Contextual Notes

δηλόω appears in both classical and Koine Greek, consistently carrying the sense of making something clear or evident. In classical texts, it commonly refers to disclosing or revealing a fact, truth, or intention, especially through speech or evident action. In the Septuagint and New Testament, δηλόω most often serves in contexts of revealing, declaring, or showing something that was previously hidden, misunderstood, or ambiguous—frequently used in legal, rhetorical, or theological contexts to mean making an argument, status, or claim explicit. English translations such as 'declare,' 'show,' 'signify,' or 'make known' reflect this, but may sometimes miss the strong nuance of clarity and manifestness implied by the Greek. It is distinct from other Greek verbs of revealing (e.g., ἀποκαλύπτω, 'to uncover/disclose'), which often have a focus on unveiling mysteries, whereas δηλόω stresses transparency or evident communication. Its antonym in Greek literature would be ἀποκρύπτω ('to hide, conceal'). The verb is used in both secular and religious/legal communication; no exclusively theological sense is implied by its New Testament usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "show" 0 occurrences

“Show” is a natural, broad verb that covers the primary semantic range of δηλόω — to make evident, manifest, or make known. It fits spoken or written contexts (declare, reveal, demonstrate) without sounding overly formal, and will render consistently across all forms while remaining idiomatic in English.

Alternatives (7 occurrences):

"made clear" (2x) "making clear" (2x) "make clear" (1x) "having made clear" (1x) "makes clear" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from δῆλος; to make plain (by words):--declare, shew, signify.

Root Family

δηλόω (dēloō) — to make clear, to reveal, to show plainly, to manifest

Root δῆλ- to make clear, to reveal, to show plainly, to manifest

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1213-02`	δηλώσας	delosas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	has declared	having made clear	having made clear	1
`G1213-03`	δηλώσει	delosei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will disclose	he/she/it will make clear	will make clear	1
`G1213-07`	ἐδήλου	edelou	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	indicated	was making clear	was making clear	1
`G1213-04`	δηλοῦντος	delountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN N SG`	signifying	of making clear	of making clear	1
`G1213-05`	ἐδήλωσέν	edelosen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	has declared	made clear	made clear	1
`G1213-06`	ἐδηλώθη	edelothe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	it was declared	it was made clear	it was made clear	1
`G1213-01`	δηλοῖ	deloi	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	indicates	makes clear	makes clear	1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1213-06`	1 Corinthians 1:11	ἐδηλώθη	edelothe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	it was declared	it was made clear	it was made clear
`G1213-03`	1 Corinthians 3:13	δηλώσει	delosei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will disclose	he/she/it will make clear	will make clear
`G1213-02`	Colossians 1:8	δηλώσας	delosas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	has declared	having made clear	having made clear
`G1213-04`	Hebrews 9:8	δηλοῦντος	delountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN N SG`	signifying	of making clear	of making clear
`G1213-01`	Hebrews 12:27	δηλοῖ	deloi	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	indicates	makes clear	makes clear
`G1213-07`	1 Peter 1:11	ἐδήλου	edelou	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	indicated	was making clear	was making clear
`G1213-05`	2 Peter 1:14	ἐδήλωσέν	edelosen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	has declared	made clear	made clear

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