### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐκλαλέω (eklaléō), Strong's number `{{G1583}}`, is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning "out of" or "from," and the verb λαλέω (laléō), meaning "to speak" or "to talk." This etymological combination yields the core meaning of "to speak out" or "to speak forth." The prefix ἐκ adds a crucial nuance, indicating the act of bringing something *out* into the open that was previously concealed, hidden, or private. Thus, its semantic range centers on the concepts of revealing, disclosing, divulging, or fully declaring information. It implies a transition from a state of secrecy or privacy to one of public or known communication, often concerning sensitive or confidential matters.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb ἐκλαλέω appears only once in the New Testament, in the book of Acts:
* **[[Acts 23:22]]**: "So the commander dismissed the young man, charging him, 'Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.'" (ESV)
* In this sole occurrence, the Roman commander Lysias instructs Paul's nephew not to ἐκλαλέω (divulge/tell) the information he had just provided about the Jewish plot to kill Paul. The context is one of urgent, sensitive intelligence. Paul's nephew had overheard a conspiracy and reported it to the commander. The commander, in turn, needed to act on this information without revealing his source or the fact that he was forewarned, likely to maintain operational security or to prevent further unrest. The use of ἐκλαλέω here precisely captures the act of disclosing confidential information, emphasizing the potential consequences of such a revelation. It underscores the commander's desire to keep the communication between himself and the young man strictly private.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding ἐκλαλέω is enhanced by considering related Greek terms that also pertain to speech and revelation:
* λαλέω (laléō) `{{G2980}}`: The base verb, meaning "to speak" or "to talk." ἐκλαλέω is a more specific form, adding the dimension of speaking *out* or disclosing.
* ἀναγγέλλω (anaggellō) `{{G312}}`: "To report," "to announce," "to declare." Similar in the sense of making something known, but without the strong emphasis on previous concealment.
* δηλόω (dēloō) `{{G1213}}`: "To make clear," "to show," "to reveal." Focuses on the clarity and manifestation of something, often a truth or principle.
* ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalyptō) `{{G601}}`: "To uncover," "to reveal," "to disclose." This term carries a stronger connotation of unveiling something profoundly hidden, often with a divine or prophetic dimension, as in "apocalypse." While ἐκλαλέω can describe the revelation of a secret, ἀποκαλύπτω often implies a deeper, more significant unveiling.
* φράζω (phrazō) `{{G5428}}`: "To tell," "to declare." A general term for communicating information.
The concept underlying ἐκλαλέω is the act of disclosure, particularly of information intended to be private or secret. Its antonyms would be words related to concealment, silence, or secrecy.
### Theological Significance
Given its single occurrence in the New Testament, ἐκλαλέω does not carry a profound theological weight as a standalone term. It is primarily a descriptive verb for a human action within a specific narrative context. However, its presence in [[Acts 23:22]] contributes to the broader biblical understanding of human communication, prudence, and the management of information.
The commander's instruction highlights the practical necessity of discretion and confidentiality in certain situations. While the Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of truth-telling and open communication, it also recognizes contexts where silence or strategic non-disclosure is appropriate or even necessary for protection, security, or the furtherance of God's purposes (e.g., the secrecy surrounding Jesus' identity or movements at times). In this instance, the command not to ἐκλαλέω is a matter of practical wisdom and the strategic maneuvering of human affairs in a hostile environment, rather than a direct theological injunction. It reminds us that even mundane human interactions, such as the exchange of information, can have significant consequences within the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
### Summary
The Greek verb ἐκλαλέω (eklaléō), `{{G1583}}`, fundamentally means "to speak out" or "to divulge." It emphasizes the act of making known something that was previously hidden, secret, or private. Its sole appearance in the New Testament occurs in [[Acts 23:22]], where a Roman commander instructs Paul's nephew not to "divulge" the confidential information he had shared about a plot against Paul. This usage underscores the term's focus on the disclosure of sensitive information and the practical implications of such revelation. While not a central theological term, ἐκλαλέω illuminates the dynamics of human communication, discretion, and the strategic management of information within the narrative of the early church, highlighting the potential power and consequences inherent in the act of disclosure.
TRV