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σκοτία

skotía

G4653 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Condition of darkness, the absence or lack of physical light; by extension, a figurative state characterized by ignorance, lack of understanding, obscurity, or moral blindness. In literal contexts, refers to the condition of being dark or unilluminated; in metaphorical usages, describes situations of mental, spiritual, or ethical unenlightenment.

Semantic Range

physical darkness, absence of light, dimness, obscurity, metaphorical or moral darkness, ignorance, lack of spiritual understanding, ethical blindness

Root / Etymology

From the root σκότος ('darkness'), with the feminine suffix -ία forming an abstract noun; thus, 'the state or condition of darkness.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, σκοτία is rare, with the more common term for physical darkness being σκότος. In Koine Greek, including the New Testament (e.g., John 1:5; 1 John 1:5-6), σκοτία appears frequently in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Metaphorically, it denotes the absence of knowledge, truth, or moral clarity—a usage that develops alongside Jewish and Hellenistic traditions equating physical darkness with ignorance or ethical failure. English translations typically render σκοτία as 'darkness,' but this may obscure the rich figurative associations it carried for ancient audiences. The term can contrast with φῶς ('light') to create dichotomies of revelation/ignorance, good/evil, or divine presence/absence.

Translation Consistency

primary "darkness" 17 occurrences

The lemma σκοτία is overwhelmingly used to denote the state or condition of being dark—literally and figuratively (ignorance, moral blindess). The noun 'darkness' is the most natural, common English rendering that covers both physical and metaphorical senses and matches the 17 occurrences in the P2 data.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σκότος; dimness, obscurity (literally or figuratively):--dark(-ness).

Root Family

σκοτ- (skoteinós) — to be dark, to lack light

Root σκοτ- to be dark, to be deprived of light
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4652 σκοτεινός dark
G4654 σκοτίζω was darkened
G4655 σκότος in darkness
G4656 σκοτόω having been darkened

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4653-01 σκοτίᾳ skotia N DAT F SG darkness in darkness darkness 16
G4653-02 σκοτίας skotias N GEN F SG dark of darkness darkness 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4653-01 Matthew 4:16 σκοτίᾳ skotia N DAT F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-01 Matthew 10:27 σκοτίᾳ skotia N DAT F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-01 Luke 12:3 σκοτίᾳ skotia N DAT F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-01 John 1:5 σκοτίᾳ skotia N DAT F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-01 John 1:5 σκοτία skotia-2 N NOM F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-01 John 6:17 σκοτία skotia N NOM F SG dark in darkness darkness
G4653-01 John 8:12 σκοτίᾳ skotia N DAT F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-01 John 12:35 σκοτία skotia N NOM F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-01 John 12:35 σκοτίᾳ skotia-2 N DAT F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-01 John 12:46 σκοτίᾳ skotia N DAT F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-02 John 20:1 σκοτίας skotias N GEN F SG dark of darkness darkness
G4653-01 1 John 1:5 σκοτία skotia N NOM F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-01 1 John 2:8 σκοτία skotia N NOM F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-01 1 John 2:9 σκοτίᾳ skotia N DAT F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-01 1 John 2:11 σκοτίᾳ skotia N DAT F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-01 1 John 2:11 σκοτίᾳ skotia-2 N DAT F SG darkness in darkness darkness
G4653-01 1 John 2:11 σκοτία skotia-3 N NOM F SG darkness in darkness darkness
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