κρύπτω
krýptō
G2928 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To hide or conceal by covering, to keep something from being seen, known, or discovered. In various contexts it can mean to physically cover or obscure an object, to keep information or actions secret, or to cause something to be unseen or unnoticed. The core concept is intentional concealment, whether of physical items, persons, or information, from view or knowledge.
Semantic Range
to hide, to cover over, to conceal from view, to keep in secrecy, to prevent from being discovered or known, to keep information secret, to obscure
Root / Etymology
From the Greek root κρυπ-, cognate with classical Greek usage. No clear derivation from other languages; considered an inherited Greek verb form from Proto-Indo-European *kreu̯- (to conceal, to hide).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, κρύπτω indicates both literal and metaphorical hiding, frequently used for hiding objects, people, or secrets. The Septuagint employs it for acts of concealing, particularly in stories of hiding individuals (Moses in Exodus 2:2-3) or keeping information secret. In the New Testament, it carries a similar meaning—covering or concealing, but also is employed metaphorically for moral or spiritual concealment (e.g., motives, intentions). Unlike more violent verbs (e.g., λανθάνω meaning 'to escape notice'), κρύπτω often implies a deliberate act of hiding by the subject to prevent discovery; it is an active concealment rather than accidental obscurity. The English 'hide' often conveys the meaning, but standard translations may miss nuances of secrecy versus simple absence from sight. The related noun κρυφή (crypt, secret place) shows how the root extends to denote hidden places or states. Usage and sense are consistent from classical through Hellenistic and Koine periods, with no major semantic shifts noted between the LXX, NT, and secular Koine literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primary verb; to conceal (properly, by covering):--hide (self), keep secret, secret(-ly).
Root Family
κρύπτω (kryptō) — to hide, to cover, to conceal
Word Forms
13 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2928-01 |
ἐκρύβη | ekrube | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
hid | was concealed | 4 |
G2928-05 |
ἔκρυψεν | ekrupsen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
was concealing | 2 | |
G2928-12 |
κρυβῆναι | krubenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to be hidden | to be concealed | 2 |
G2928-10 |
κεκρυμμένου | kekrummenou | V PRF PASS PTCP GEN N SG |
of what has been concealed | 1 | |
G2928-08 |
κεκρυμμένον | kekrummenon | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM N SG |
hidden | having been hidden | 1 |
G2928-02 |
ἔκρυψα | ekrupsa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I concealed | 1 | |
G2928-06 |
κεκρυμμένα | kekrummena | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N PL |
things having been concealed | 1 | |
G2928-04 |
ἔκρυψας | ekrupsas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
you concealed | 1 | |
G2928-09 |
κεκρυμμένος | kekrummenos | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
secret | having been concealed | 1 |
G2928-07 |
κεκρυμμένῳ | kekrummeno | V PRF PASS PTCP DAT M SG |
to the one having been concealed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
18 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2928-12 |
Matthew 5:14 | κρυβῆναι | krubenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to be concealed | |
G2928-04 |
Matthew 11:25 | ἔκρυψας | ekrupsas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
you concealed | |
G2928-06 |
Matthew 13:35 | κεκρυμμένα | kekrummena | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N PL |
things having been concealed | |
G2928-07 |
Matthew 13:44 | κεκρυμμένῳ | kekrummeno | V PRF PASS PTCP DAT M SG |
to the one having been concealed | |
G2928-05 |
Matthew 13:44 | ἔκρυψεν | ekrupsen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
was concealing | |
G2928-05 |
Matthew 25:18 | ἔκρυψεν | ekrupsen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
was concealing | |
G2928-02 |
Matthew 25:25 | ἔκρυψα | ekrupsa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I concealed | |
G2928-08 |
Luke 18:34 | κεκρυμμένον | kekrummenon | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM N SG |
hidden | having been hidden |
G2928-01 |
Luke 19:42 | ἐκρύβη | ekrube | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
they are hidden | was concealed |
G2928-01 |
John 8:59 | ἐκρύβη | ekrube | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
hid Himself | was concealed |