Word Study for G2990 (λανθάνω)

lanthánō /lan-than'-o/ Ask about this word

Meaninga prolonged form of a primary verb, which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses; to lie hid (literally or figuratively); often used adverbially, unwittingly

KJV usagebe hid, be ignorant of, unawares.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of lanthánō — 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 lanthánō, represented by G2990, means to lie hid, either literally or figuratively. It is a prolonged form of a primary verb and can also be used adverbially to mean unwittingly or unawares. It appears 8 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible, highlighting concepts of concealment, ignorance, and unintentional action.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G2990 is used in both physical and cognitive contexts. It describes the physical impossibility of Jesus concealing his presence, as "he could not be hid" Mark 7:24 when he sought privacy. It is also used to describe the woman with the issue of blood realizing she was "not hid" after touching him Luke 8:47. Figuratively, the term describes a state of willful ignorance, where some people "willingly are ignorant of" the truth of creation 2 Peter 3:5. In an adverbial sense, it explains how some have shown hospitality to angels unawares Hebrews 13:2.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concepts of knowing and forgetting, often standing in direct contrast to being hidden:

G1950 epilanthánomai (to lose out of mind; by implication, to neglect): This word is formed from G2990 and appears in the same verse, urging believers "be not forgetful to entertain strangers" Hebrews 13:2.
G1097 ginṓskō (to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications): This word for knowing is contrasted with G2990 in the account where Jesus would have no man know of his location but could not be hid Mark 7:24. It speaks of a deep, absolute knowledge.
G1492 eídō (properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, to know): The woman who touched Jesus saw that she was not hid, linking physical sight with the realization that her actions were known Luke 8:47.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2990 is significant, touching on themes of divine omniscience, human responsibility, and hidden spiritual realities.

Divine Omniscience: The attempts by humans to hide, or the inability of Christ to be hid, underscores the principle that nothing is truly concealed from God's presence or knowledge (Mark 7:24, Luke 8:47).
Willful Ignorance: The word is used to condemn those who choose to be ignorant of God's power in creation and judgment, highlighting ignorance not as a passive state but as an active choice 2 Peter 3:5.
Unwitting Service: The concept of entertaining angels unawares reveals that acts of faith and obedience can have spiritual significance far beyond our immediate awareness Hebrews 13:2.
Apostolic Warning: The inverse, "be not ignorant," functions as a command for believers to actively remember and understand crucial doctrines, such as God's perspective on time 2 Peter 3:8.

Summary

In summary, G2990 provides a nuanced look at what it means to be hidden. It moves beyond simple physical concealment to explore the nature of knowledge, ignorance, and perception. The word illustrates the contrast between what is hidden from humanity and what is open before God, and it serves as a powerful reminder that ignorance can be a choice and that faithfulness can have unseen consequences.

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 6 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
2nd Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
Present Active Imperative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Infinitive 1×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".

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 6 verses across 5 of the 27 books. Most frequent in 2 Peter (2 verses); never once in the other 22.

Mark

Luke

Acts

Hebrews

2 Peter

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.