### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **emphanḗs**, represented by `{{G1717}}`, is used to describe something as **manifest** or **openly** apparent. Its base definition is "apparent in self." It appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible, signifying a focused but important role in describing divine revelation. The word conveys the idea of making something clearly visible and known that might have otherwise been concealed.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{G1717}}` highlights God's initiative in revealing truth. In Romans, the prophet Isaiah speaks of God being made **manifest** to those who were not actively seeking him [[Romans 10:20]]. This points to a revelation that is initiated by God towards an unexpected audience. In Acts, the term is used to affirm that after the resurrection, God "shewed him **openly**" [[Acts 10:40]], emphasizing that the resurrected Christ was made clearly apparent and not hidden.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller context for how things are made manifest:
* `{{G1096}}` **gínomai** (to cause to be... to become): This word is used in both instances of `{{G1717}}`, showing that something is "made" manifest [[Romans 10:20]] or "shewed" (made to become) openly [[Acts 10:40]]. It implies a transition from a hidden state to an apparent one.
* `{{G2147}}` **heurískō** (to find): Used in direct parallel with `{{G1717}}` in [[Romans 10:20]], "I was **found** of them that sought me not." This links the concept of being found by God with God making Himself manifest.
* `{{G662}}` **apotolmáō** (to be very bold): This describes Isaiah's action in proclaiming that God would make Himself manifest to those who did not seek Him, highlighting the bold and surprising nature of this divine revelation [[Romans 10:20]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G1717}}` centers on the nature of divine self-disclosure.
* **God's Sovereign Revelation:** The word is used in contexts where God is the primary actor. He is the one who makes things "manifest" and shows them "openly." This underscores that revelation is a gift of God's grace, not a result of human achievement.
* **Grace to the Unseeking:** The context of [[Romans 10:20]] specifically applies this manifestation to those "that asked not after me," a powerful statement on the extension of God's redemptive plan.
* **The Verifiable Resurrection:** Its use in [[Acts 10:40]] reinforces the public and demonstrable nature of Christ's resurrection. It was an event God ensured was "openly" witnessed, forming a cornerstone of apostolic preaching.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G1717}}` is a precise term that carries significant theological implications despite its infrequent use. It moves beyond a simple idea of visibility to describe a deliberate, divinely-initiated act of revelation. Whether in prophecy about God's outreach or in the historical account of the resurrection, **emphanḗs** shows that God's truth is not meant to be a secret but is made **manifest** and shown **openly** according to His sovereign will.