κρύπτω

krýptō

G2928 verb

SILEX Entry

Root κρυπ- to hide, to cover, to conceal

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