Word Study for G2928 (κρύπτω)

krýptō /kroop'-to/ Ask about this word

Meaninga primary verb; to conceal (properly, by covering)

KJV usagehide (self), keep secret, secret(-ly).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of krýptō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word krýptō, represented by G2928, is a primary verb meaning to conceal (properly, by covering). It is also used to mean hide (self), keep secret, secret(-ly). It appears 16 times across 15 unique verses in the Bible, illustrating concepts of both physical concealment and spiritual hiddenness.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, G2928 is applied in several distinct contexts. It can describe the literal act of hiding a person or object, such as when Moses's parents hid him for three months Hebrews 11:23 or when the unfaithful servant hid his master's talent in the earth Matthew 25:25. Figuratively, it describes truths that are intentionally veiled, as when Jesus speaks of things kept secret from the foundation of the world Matthew 13:35 or when a saying was hid from the disciples' understanding Luke 18:34. It is also used to describe the profound spiritual reality of a believer's new identity, whose life is hid with Christ in God Colossians 3:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of concealment and its opposite, revelation:

G5457 phōs (light): This word stands in direct contrast to being hidden. In Matthew 5:14, the statement that believers are the light of the world is immediately followed by the principle that a city on a hill cannot be hid.
G1097 ginṓskō (to "know"): What is hidden is often unable to be known. In Revelation 2:17, the promise of hidden manna is paired with a new name that no man knoweth. Likewise, when a saying was hid from the disciples, they knew not the things which were spoken Luke 18:34.
G455 anoígō (to open up): This is a direct antonym. In Matthew 13:35, Jesus declares He will open His mouth in parables to utter things that had been kept secret.
G1438 heautoû (himself): This reflexive pronoun is used with G2928 to show a person actively hiding their own self, as when the kings of the earth hid themselves in dens Revelation 6:15 or when Jesus hid himself from the crowd John 8:59.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2928 is significant, touching on themes of revelation, security, and judgment.

Divine Revelation and Concealment: The word highlights God's sovereign control over what is known. Prophetic truths are described as things kept secret until they are uttered Matthew 13:35, and spiritual understanding can be hid from those whose hearts are not prepared Luke 19:42.
The Believer's Security: The concept is central to the believer's position in Christ. The statement that "your life is hid with Christ in God" Colossians 3:3 signifies a spiritual reality of safety and identity that is concealed from the world's view but is secure in God.
Humanity's Response to God: Hiding is a common human reaction to divine presence and wrath. In Revelation, humanity attempts to hide from the face of Him on the throne Revelation 6:16. The servant who was afraid hid his talent, demonstrating a response of fear rather than faith Matthew 25:25.

Summary

In summary, G2928 carries a meaning that extends beyond simple physical hiding. It is a key term for understanding the biblical dynamics of concealment and revelation. From the parables of Jesus involving a hid treasure Matthew 13:44 to the promise of hidden manna for those who overcome Revelation 2:17, the word consistently points to things of great value that are not immediately visible. It illustrates a core biblical theme: that some truths must be sought, some are divinely revealed, and some are securely hid in God himself.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 20 occurrences, inflected in 14 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 4×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
2nd Aorist Passive Infinitive 2×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Perfect Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Accusative Plural Neuter 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Dative Singular Masculine 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Genitive Singular Neuter 1×

+ 2 rarer forms

Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 15 verses across 7 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Matthew (4 verses); never once in the other 20.

Matthew

Luke

John

Colossians

1 Timothy

Hebrews

Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.