### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb dēlóō (G1213) originates from the adjective dēlos (G1212), which means "visible," "manifest," "clear," or "plain." Consequently, the fundamental meaning of dēlóō is "to make plain," "to make clear," "to make known," or "to reveal." It signifies the action of bringing something previously hidden, obscure, or unknown into light and intelligibility.
The semantic range of dēlóō encompasses several nuances:
* **To Declare/Proclaim:** To state something explicitly, often with authority, making it publicly known.
* **To Show/Exhibit:** To present something for observation, making it evident to the senses or the mind.
* **To Signify/Indicate:** To convey meaning or intention, often through signs, actions, or words, pointing to something beyond the immediate.
* **To Reveal/Unveil:** To disclose what was previously concealed, frequently in a divine or prophetic context.
The emphasis of dēlóō is consistently on clarity and effective communication that ensures understanding, rather than mere transmission of information.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
dēlóō appears 9 times in the New Testament, each instance underscoring the concept of making something clear or known:
* **[[John 11:57]]**: "Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where Jesus was, he should *report* it, so that they might seize him." Here, dēlóō refers to the act of disclosing information to authorities, making Jesus' whereabouts known.
* **[[1 Corinthians 3:13]]**: "each one's work will become *manifest*, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done." The quality of one's work will be made evident or plain, specifically on the Day of Judgment, with fire serving as the revealing agent.
* **[[1 Corinthians 10:28]]**: "But if someone says to you, 'This has been offered in sacrifice,' do not eat it, for the sake of the one who *informed* you, and for the sake of conscience." In this context, dēlóō describes the act of making known the pagan origin of food, intended to prevent a brother from stumbling.
* **[[Hebrews 9:8]]**: "By this the Holy Spirit *indicates* that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first tent is still standing." The Holy Spirit is depicted as the agent who makes a spiritual truth clear or signifies it through the symbolism of the tabernacle.
* **[[Hebrews 12:27]]**: "This phrase, 'Yet once more,' *indicates* the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain." The phrase itself serves to make plain or signify a profound theological truth about the passing of the old creation and the permanence of the new.
* **[[1 Peter 1:11]]**: "inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was *indicating* when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories." The Spirit of Christ within the prophets was not merely speaking but making known or signifying the future events concerning Christ.
* **[[2 Peter 1:14]]**: "since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ *made clear* to me." Here, Jesus directly revealed or made known to Peter the timing of his impending death, emphasizing a personal, divine disclosure.
* **[[Revelation 1:1]]**: "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to *show* to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John." This foundational verse for the book of Revelation states its very purpose: to make plain or reveal future events to God's servants.
* **[[Revelation 22:6]]**: "And he said to me, 'These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to *show* his servants what must soon take place.'" This echoes [[Revelation 1:1]], reinforcing that the prophetic messages are intended to make future events clear and understandable to God's people.
Across these occurrences, dēlóō consistently conveys the act of making something evident, whether it be information, the quality of one's actions, a spiritual truth, or future prophetic events. The agent of this revelation can be human, conceptual, or, most significantly, divine.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **dēlos (G1212):** The root adjective, meaning "clear," "manifest," or "plain." The verb dēlóō describes the active process of rendering something dēlos.
* **phaneroō (G5319):** "To make manifest," "to appear," "to reveal." While similar to dēlóō, phaneroō often emphasizes the *appearance* or *visibility* of something, whereas dēlóō tends to focus more on making something *intelligible* or *understood* through declaration or indication. phaneroō might highlight the fact of manifestation, while dēlóō emphasizes the clarity of the message.
* **apokalyptō (G601):** "To uncover," "to reveal," "to disclose." This term frequently carries a stronger connotation of supernatural or divine revelation, often implying the removal of a veil over something previously hidden by God. While dēlóō can be used in divine contexts (e.g., [[Revelation 1:1]]), it also applies to more mundane acts of making information known. apokalyptō is the act of removing a covering, while dēlóō is the act of making plain.
* **gnōrizō (G1107):** "To make known," "to cause to know." This term focuses on imparting knowledge or understanding. While similar, dēlóō specifically emphasizes the *clarity* of the communication, ensuring it is plain, whereas gnōrizō focuses on the *transfer* of knowledge.
* **didaskō (G1321):** "To teach." While teaching inherently involves making things clear, dēlóō describes a specific act of making plain, rather than the broader process of systematic instruction.
* **Clarity and Understanding:** These are core concepts intrinsically linked to dēlóō. The word underscores the divine desire for humanity to comprehend spiritual truths and future events, rather than leaving them shrouded in mystery.
### Theological Significance
The theological implications of dēlóō are profound, particularly in its application to divine communication and revelation.
* **God as the Revealer:** The consistent use of dēlóō in contexts of divine action ([[Hebrews 9:8]], [[1 Peter 1:11]], [[2 Peter 1:14]], [[Revelation 1:1]], [[Revelation 22:6]]) powerfully underscores God's nature as one who desires to make Himself, His will, and His plans known to humanity. He does not conceal truth but actively makes it plain and accessible.
* **Clarity of Prophecy:** In the Book of Revelation, dēlóō frames the entire prophetic message as one intended for clarity, not confusion. God's purpose in giving the Apocalypse is to "show" (dēlóō) His servants what must soon take place, implying that these visions, though rich in symbolism, are ultimately for understanding and guidance, not mere mystification. This challenges interpretations that view prophecy as inherently obscure.
* **Divine Initiative:** The employment of dēlóō often points to a divine initiative in revealing truth. It is God or His Spirit who makes clear or indicates what humans could not otherwise discern through their own faculties. This highlights the necessity of divine illumination for spiritual understanding.
* **Accountability and Judgment:** In [[1 Corinthians 3:13]], dēlóō is connected to the manifestation of one's work on the Day of Judgment. This signifies that all things, whether righteous or unrighteous, will ultimately be brought into the light and made plain before God, leading to full accountability.
* **The Accessibility of Truth:** The very existence and usage of dēlóō in the biblical vocabulary suggest that divine truth is, by God's design, accessible and intended to be understood, at least in its essential aspects, by those to whom it is revealed. This stands in contrast to secret knowledge or esoteric mysteries, affirming God's desire for His people to know Him and His ways.
### Summary
The Greek verb dēlóō (G1213), rooted in dēlos (G1212) meaning "clear" or "plain," fundamentally signifies "to make plain," "to make clear," "to declare," "to show," or "to signify." Its core meaning emphasizes the act of bringing something from obscurity into understanding and visibility. In its biblical occurrences, dēlóō is employed in diverse contexts, ranging from human disclosure of information ([[John 11:57]], [[1 Corinthians 10:28]]) to the profound divine revelation of spiritual truths and future events. Notably, it describes the Holy Spirit's role in making known the way to God ([[Hebrews 9:8]]) and, crucially, defines the prophetic purpose of the Book of Revelation, which God gave to "show" or "make plain" to His servants what must soon occur ([[Revelation 1:1]], [[Revelation 22:6]]). While sharing semantic space with terms like `{{G5319}}` (phaneroō) and `{{G601}}` (apokalyptō), dēlóō particularly underscores the clarity and intelligibility of the communication. Theologically, dēlóō highlights God's character as an active revealer of Himself and His will, desiring that His truth be understood and His plans made known to His people, ultimately leading to accountability and profound spiritual insight.
TRV