from εἴδω; a view, i.e. form (literally or figuratively):--appearance, fashion, shape, sight.
Transliteration:eîdos
Pronunciation:i'-dos
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term G1491 (εἶδος, eîdos) is derived from the verb `{{G1492}}` (eídō), meaning "to see" or "to perceive." Consequently, its fundamental meaning revolves around "that which is seen" or "the visible aspect." Its core semantic range includes:
* **Form/Shape:** Referring to the physical contour or configuration of an object or being. This is the most literal application, denoting the external outline or structure.
* **Appearance/Likeness:** Encompassing the outward manifestation, visible characteristics, or semblance of something. This can refer to how something presents itself to the eye, irrespective of its underlying essence.
* **Fashion/Manner:** In some contexts, it can extend to the particular way or style in which something is presented or exists, though this is less prominent in the New Testament compared to its use in classical Greek.
* **Kind/Sort:** By extension from "appearance," it can refer to a specific category or type, particularly when distinguishing between different manifestations or forms of something.
Unlike `{{G3444}}` (morphē), which can emphasize the inherent and essential nature of a form (e.g., the divine "form" of Christ), eîdos tends to focus more on the external, perceptible manifestation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word G1491 appears five times in the New Testament, each instance illuminating a distinct facet of its meaning:
* **[[Luke 3:22]]**: "and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove." Here, eîdos clearly refers to the *visible shape* or *appearance* of the Holy Spirit. It describes the tangible, observable manifestation, emphasizing that the Spirit's presence was not merely felt but also seen in a discernible form, akin to a dove.
* **[[Luke 9:29]]**: "And as He was praying, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became dazzling white." During the Transfiguration, eîdos describes the *outward appearance* or *likeness* of Jesus' face, which underwent a miraculous transformation. This usage highlights the perceptible change in His divine glory.
* **[[John 5:37]]**: "And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form." In this profound theological statement, Jesus declares that the Jewish leaders have never seen the *visible form* or *likeness* of God the Father. This underscores God's transcendent and invisible nature, emphasizing that He cannot be apprehended by human sight in His essence.
* **[[2 Corinthians 5:7]]**: "For we walk by faith, not by sight." While translated as "sight," eîdos here refers to "that which is seen" or "visible appearance." The verse contrasts reliance on observable, empirical reality with reliance on the unseen truths of God's promises and spiritual realities. It is a foundational principle for the Christian life.
* **[[1 Thessalonians 5:22]]**: "Abstain from every form of evil." In this ethical exhortation, eîdos is best understood as "every *kind* of evil" or "every *appearance* of evil." It calls for a comprehensive avoidance of all manifestations, types, or visible characteristics that are associated with evil, promoting a meticulous and thorough ethical purity.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding eîdos is enhanced by examining its relationship with other Greek terms that convey aspects of form, appearance, or image:
* **`{{G1492}}` (eídō)**: The root verb, "to see," directly links eîdos to the act of perception and visibility. This etymological connection is crucial for grasping its primary emphasis on the observable.
* **`{{G3444}}` (morphē)**: Often translated as "form" or "shape," morphē can carry a stronger connotation of intrinsic, essential nature or character, as seen in Christ's "form of God" and "form of a servant" ([[Philippians 2:6-7]]). While eîdos focuses on the outward appearance, morphē can delve deeper into the inherent structure or nature.
* **`{{G4976}}` (schēma)**: Translated as "fashion" or "outward guise," schēma typically refers to a transient, external arrangement or pattern, often implying something superficial or changeable (e.g., "the fashion of this world is passing away" [[1 Corinthians 7:31]]). eîdos can sometimes overlap with schēma in meaning "outward appearance," but eîdos is more about the concrete, visible form itself, whereas schēma is about the prevailing mode or pattern.
* **`{{G3667}}` (homoiōma)**: Meaning "likeness" or "resemblance," homoiōma emphasizes the quality of being similar to something else, often implying a copy or representation. While eîdos describes the visible form, homoiōma specifies that form's resemblance to another.
* **`{{G1504}}` (eikōn)**: "Image" or "likeness," eikōn denotes a representation that not only resembles but also reflects the qualities or nature of the original. It often implies a more substantial connection or representation than eîdos, which can be a mere outward appearance.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of eîdos carry significant theological weight:
* **Divine Revelation and Manifestation**: In [[Luke 3:22]], eîdos describes the visible, albeit unique, manifestation of the Holy Spirit, affirming the Spirit's real presence and active involvement in salvation history. Similarly, in [[Luke 9:29]], it highlights the visible transformation of Christ's appearance during the Transfiguration, serving as a powerful revelation of His inherent divine glory to His disciples. These instances demonstrate God's capacity to reveal Himself in perceptible, though not always conventional, forms.
* **God's Transcendence and Invisibility**: The declaration in [[John 5:37]] that the Father's "form" has not been seen by humanity profoundly underscores God's transcendence and His essential invisibility to human eyes. This contrasts sharply with pagan deities often depicted in visible, anthropomorphic forms. It emphasizes that true knowledge of God comes through His Word and His Son, rather than through direct visual apprehension of His divine essence.
* **The Nature of Christian Walk**: [[2 Corinthians 5:7]] uses eîdos to articulate a foundational principle of the Christian life: "walking by faith, not by sight." This means that believers are called to live based on trust in unseen spiritual realities, divine promises, and the future hope, rather than being solely guided by immediate, observable circumstances or sensory perception. It underscores the spiritual and eschatological dimension of Christian existence.
* **Ethical Purity and Discernment**: The exhortation in [[1 Thessalonians 5:22]] to "abstain from every form of evil" extends the meaning of eîdos to encompass all visible manifestations or *kinds* of evil. This calls for a comprehensive and vigilant ethical purity, not merely avoiding overt acts of sin, but also abstaining from anything that even *appears* to be evil or belongs to the category of evil. It encourages believers to exercise keen spiritual discernment in all aspects of their lives.
### Summary
G1491 (εἶδος, eîdos) is a significant Greek term derived from the verb "to see," fundamentally denoting "that which is seen" or "visible form." Its semantic range encompasses physical shape, outward appearance, and, by extension, the kind or sort of something. In the New Testament, eîdos is employed to describe the visible manifestation of the Holy Spirit ([[Luke 3:22]]) and the transformed appearance of Christ at the Transfiguration ([[Luke 9:29]]), highlighting divine revelation. Conversely, in [[John 5:37]], it underscores the inherent invisibility and transcendence of God the Father. Furthermore, eîdos is crucial for understanding the Christian principle of walking by faith rather than by reliance on visible reality ([[2 Corinthians 5:7]]) and the call to comprehensive ethical purity, abstaining from every *kind* or *appearance* of evil ([[1 Thessalonians 5:22]]). While sharing some conceptual overlap with related terms like `{{G3444}}` (morphē) and `{{G4976}}` (schēma), eîdos distinctively emphasizes the *observable aspect* or *outward manifestation*, thereby contributing profoundly to biblical discussions on divine presence, spiritual perception, and the demands of holiness.
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