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φωτεινός

phōteinós

G5460 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Luminous, full of or characterized by light; emitting, reflecting, or suffused with light—whether in a literal or figurative sense. Can denote actual physical brightness (as of daylight or shining objects), or, metaphorically, qualities associated with clarity, enlightenment, or moral purity.

Semantic Range

bright, luminous, filled with light, illuminated, transparent, clear (literal); shining, radiant, morally or spiritually enlightened (figurative)

Root / Etymology

From the root φῶς (phōs, 'light'), with the adjectival suffix -εινός (-einos), forming adjectives related to quality or characteristic resemblance. Thus, φωτεινός is 'characterized by light.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in classical and Hellenistic literature in reference to light, things that are naturally shining or emitting light (e.g., stars, lamps, daytime). In the Septuagint and New Testament, φωτεινός often functions both literally (describing sources or states of light) and figuratively (describing people or things imbued with spiritual or moral clarity; e.g., 'the eye is the lamp of the body; if your eye is φωτεινός...'). The term can overlap with λαμπρός (radiant, splendid), but φωτεινός specifically emphasizes light rather than brilliance or splendor. In some cases, ancient translators rendered various Hebrew words for light or shining with φωτεινός, so the nuance can depend on the underlying context. Standard English translations often capture the word as 'bright' or 'full of light,' but may not reflect its metaphorical range. In contrast with σκοτεινός ('dark, full of darkness'), φωτεινός belongs to a semantic field expressing conditions or qualities of light.

Translation Consistency

primary "luminous" 5 occurrences

All P2 renderings use "luminous," and this adjective cleanly covers the word’s typical literal and figurative range (bright, shining, illuminated, spiritually clear). It is natural English and preserves the primary sense across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from φῶς; lustrous, i.e. transparent or well-illuminated (figuratively):--bright, full of light.

Root Family

φωτεινός (phōteinos) — luminous, shining, radiant, full of light

Root φωτ- to shine, to emit light, to be luminous

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5460-02 φωτεινὸν photeinon ADJ.P NOM N SG full of light luminous luminous 4
G5460-01 φωτεινὴ photeine ADJ.A NOM F SG bright luminous luminous 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5460-02 Matthew 6:22 φωτεινὸν photeinon ADJ.P NOM N SG full of light luminous luminous
G5460-01 Matthew 17:5 φωτεινὴ photeine ADJ.A NOM F SG bright luminous luminous
G5460-02 Luke 11:34 φωτεινόν photeinon ADJ.P NOM N SG full-of-light luminous luminous
G5460-02 Luke 11:36 φωτεινόν photeinon ADJ.P NOM N SG full of light luminous luminous
G5460-02 Luke 11:36 φωτεινὸν photeinon-2 ADJ.P NOM N SG light luminous luminous
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