κρυπτός
kryptós
G2927 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
primarily 'hidden' or 'concealed'; refers to something not exposed to view, kept out of sight, or not publicly known. In different contexts, can mean secret (known only to certain individuals or to God), inward (pertaining to one's inner or unseen life), or private (not for public knowledge). Used of physical objects, actions, qualities, or intentions that are not external or visible.
Semantic Range
hidden, concealed, secret, private, inward, not evident, not manifest, known only to certain parties or to God, unseen, clandestine
Root / Etymology
from the root κρυπτ- of the verb κρύπτω, meaning 'to hide, to conceal.' The adjective κρυπτός directly derives from the verbal root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, κρυπτός described anything hidden from sight, clandestine, or secret. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, it frequently described hidden actions, motives, or inner qualities. Used in moral exhortation (e.g., Matthew 6:4, 6, 18), κρυπτός contrasts visible/public behavior with what is privately undertaken or inwardly experienced. In Romans 2:16, it denotes inner secrets of the heart, contrasting what God sees with what humans see. The standard translation as 'secret' or 'hidden' often fails to capture the nuance of inwardness or privateness, especially in ethical or spiritual contexts. Related nouns include κρυφίος ('secret', 'occult'), but κρυπτός often focuses on the state of being not manifest rather than on willful concealment. The Greek root underlies English borrowings like 'cryptic' and 'crypt.' Usage has remained fairly consistent from classical through Koine periods, always relating to what is not visible, open, or public.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κρύπτω; concealed, i.e. private:--hid(-den), inward(-ly), secret.
Root Family
κρυπτός (kryptos) — hidden, concealed, secret, unseen
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2927-02 |
κρυπτῷ | krupto | ADJ.S DAT N SG |
secret | in the hidden realm | 8 |
G2927-03 |
κρυπτὸν | krupton | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
hidden | the hidden thing | 4 |
G2927-01 |
κρυπτὰ | krupta | ADJ.S ACC N PL |
hidden things | hidden things | 4 |
G2927-04 |
κρυπτὸς | kruptos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
hidden | hidden one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
17 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2927-02 |
Matthew 6:4 | κρυπτῷ | krupto | ADJ.S DAT N SG |
in the hidden realm | |
G2927-02 |
Matthew 6:4 | κρυπτῷ | krupto-2 | ADJ.S DAT N SG |
in the hidden realm | |
G2927-02 |
Matthew 6:6 | κρυπτῷ | krupto | ADJ.S DAT N SG |
in the hidden realm | |
G2927-02 |
Matthew 6:6 | κρυπτῷ | krupto-2 | ADJ.S DAT N SG |
in the hidden realm | |
G2927-03 |
Matthew 10:26 | κρυπτὸν | krupton | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
the hidden thing | |
G2927-03 |
Mark 4:22 | κρυπτὸν | krupton | ADJ.P NOM N SG |
hidden | the hidden thing |
G2927-03 |
Luke 8:17 | κρυπτὸν | krupton | ADJ.P NOM N SG |
hidden | the hidden thing |
G2927-03 |
Luke 12:2 | κρυπτὸν | krupton | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
hidden | the hidden thing |
G2927-02 |
John 7:4 | κρυπτῷ | krupto | ADJ.S DAT N SG |
secret | in the hidden realm |
G2927-02 |
John 7:10 | κρυπτῷ | krupto | ADJ.S DAT N SG |
secret | in the hidden realm |