a 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:--be hid, be ignorant of, unawares.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb `{{G2990}}` *lanthánō* (λανθάνω) carries the core meaning of "to lie hid," "to escape notice," or "to be unknown." It is presented as a prolonged form of a primary verb, emphasizing the state or action of concealment. Its semantic range encompasses both literal and figurative applications. Literally, it can describe something physically hidden or an action performed without being seen. Figuratively, it refers to a state of being unaware, ignorant, or overlooked. A crucial aspect of its usage in the New Testament is its frequent appearance in an adverbial sense, particularly through the aorist participle, conveying the nuance of "unawares," "unwittingly," or "without knowing." This highlights an unintended or unconscious aspect of an action. Related concepts include concealment, ignorance, oversight, and the element of surprise due to a lack of prior knowledge.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of `{{G2990}}` in the New Testament illustrate its diverse applications:
* In [[Luke 8:47]], concerning the woman with the issue of blood, it is stated that she "did not escape His notice" (οὐκ ἔλαθεν αὐτόν). Here, *lanthánō* describes an action (her touching Jesus' cloak) that she likely intended to keep secret, but which Jesus, with his divine perception, immediately recognized, demonstrating that nothing is truly hidden from Him.
* [[Acts 26:26]] features Paul's defense before King Agrippa, where he asserts that the events concerning Christ "were not done in a corner" (οὐ γάρ ἐστιν ἐν γωνίᾳ πεπραγμένον τοῦτο). While not a direct use of *lanthánō*, the phrase implies that these events were not hidden or secret but were publicly known, serving as a powerful counterpoint to the idea of something being concealed.
* A classic example of the adverbial use is found in [[Hebrews 13:2]]: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (ἔλαθόν τινες ξενίσαντες ἀγγέλους). Here, *lanthánō* signifies that the hosts performed the act of hospitality "without knowing" the true, divine identity of their guests. It underscores the unexpected and often hidden nature of divine encounters.
* In [[2 Peter 3:5]], the verb is used to describe a deliberate state of ignorance: "For this they willingly forget" or "it escapes their notice by their own will" (λανθάνει γὰρ αὐτοὺς τοῦτο θέλοντας). This passage refers to scoffers who deliberately choose to ignore the historical realities of God's creation and judgment (the flood), thereby rejecting the implications for future judgment. This highlights a moral dimension to "being hidden from" truth – it can be a willful act.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{G50}}` ἀγνοέω (agnoeō):** To be ignorant, not to know. This word shares significant semantic overlap with *lanthánō*, particularly in its "be ignorant of" aspect. While *lanthánō* often emphasizes something *being hidden from* someone, *agnoeō* focuses more on the *state* of not possessing knowledge.
* **`{{G2928}}` κρύπτω (kryptō):** To hide, conceal. This verb emphasizes the *action* of hiding something, whereas *lanthánō* frequently describes the *state* of being hidden or the *result* of an action escaping notice.
* **`{{G601}}` ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalyptō):** To uncover, reveal. This word stands in direct antithesis to *lanthánō*, signifying the disclosure of what was previously concealed.
* **`{{G5319}}` φανερόω (phaneroō):** To make manifest, reveal, make known. Similar to *apokalyptō*, this verb emphasizes making something visible or known, contrasting with the concept of something being hidden.
* **Theological Concepts:** The study of *lanthánō* naturally leads to considerations of divine omniscience (nothing is hidden from God), human ignorance (both unintentional and willful), the hiddenness of God's workings, and the unexpected nature of divine intervention in human affairs.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{G2990}}` *lanthánō* is multifaceted. Firstly, it starkly contrasts human limitations with divine knowledge. While humans may act "unawares" ([[Hebrews 13:2]]) or even choose to be "ignorant" ([[2 Peter 3:5]]), the narrative of [[Luke 8:47]] implicitly affirms that nothing ultimately escapes the notice of Christ, and by extension, God. This underscores God's absolute omniscience and omnipresence.
Secondly, *lanthánō* speaks to the nature of divine revelation. God's plan and presence are often initially "hidden" or unnoticed by humanity, only to be revealed in His perfect timing. This can be seen in the unexpected nature of the Incarnation or the gradual unfolding of the Kingdom of God, which often grows in hidden ways before becoming fully manifest. The call to hospitality in [[Hebrews 13:2]] suggests that God often works through seemingly ordinary encounters, where His agents (angels) may be present without our immediate awareness, inviting believers to live with a posture of readiness and openness to divine activity.
Finally, the usage in [[2 Peter 3:5]] carries a profound ethical and spiritual warning. The "willing forgetfulness" (λανθάνει γὰρ αὐτοὺς τοῦτο θέλοντας) of divine truth is presented not merely as intellectual oversight but as a deliberate moral choice with serious implications for one's understanding of judgment and salvation. To choose to be "hidden from" or "ignorant of" God's revealed truth is a pathway to error and unbelief, highlighting human responsibility in acknowledging and responding to divine realities.
### Summary
The Greek verb `{{G2990}}` *lanthánō* fundamentally conveys the idea of "to lie hid," "to escape notice," or "to be unknown." Its semantic range extends from literal physical concealment, as seen in the woman's attempt to hide from Jesus' notice in [[Luke 8:47]], to figurative states of being unaware or ignorant. A particularly significant usage is its adverbial form, often translated as "unawares" or "without knowing," exemplified in [[Hebrews 13:2]] where individuals unknowingly host angels. Theologically, *lanthánō* illuminates the contrast between human limitation and divine omniscience; while much may be hidden from human perception or done unwittingly, nothing ultimately escapes the notice of God. The concept also underscores the nature of revelation, where divine truths or interventions, initially hidden, are eventually made manifest. Furthermore, its use in [[2 Peter 3:5]] to describe a "willing forgetfulness" highlights the spiritual danger of deliberate ignorance concerning God's past actions and future judgments, underscoring the moral dimension of what one chooses to be "hidden from." Thus, *lanthánō* speaks to both the passive state of being unnoticed and the active choice of ignoring truth, with profound implications for understanding divine knowledge, human responsibility, and the unfolding of God's purposes.
TRV