Word Study for G4654 (σκοτίζω)

skotízō /skot-id-zo/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom σκότος

Meaningto obscure (literally or figuratively)

KJV usagedarken.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of skotízō — 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 skotízō, represented by G4654, means to obscure or darken, both literally and figuratively. It appears 9 times across 8 unique verses in the Bible. This term is used to describe the dimming of physical light as well as the clouding of spiritual and intellectual understanding.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, G4654 appears in two primary contexts. First, it is used literally to describe the darkening of celestial bodies as a sign of judgment or a momentous event. This is seen when the sun was darkened during the crucifixion Luke 23:45 and in prophetic passages where the sun, moon, and stars are darkened during the tribulation (Matthew 24:29, Mark 13:24). Second, it is used figuratively to depict a spiritual or moral condition. For example, because people did not glorify God, their "foolish heart was darkened" Romans 1:21, and their understanding was darkened due to ignorance and alienation from God Ephesians 4:18.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help illuminate the meaning of being darkened:

G2246 hḗlios (the sun): This is the most common object to be literally darkened, often in contexts of eschatological judgment (Matthew 24:29, Revelation 9:2).
G4457 pṓrōsis (blindness, hardness): This word is directly connected to the figurative use of skotízō, where a darkened understanding is the result of the "blindness of their heart" Ephesians 4:18.
G801 asýnetos (foolish, without understanding): This term describes the state of a heart that becomes darkened when people turn away from God's wisdom Romans 1:21.
G52 ágnoia (ignorance): This is cited as a reason for having a darkened understanding, highlighting a spiritual state of being separated from the life of God Ephesians 4:18.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4654 is significant in its dual application.

Cosmic Signs of Judgment: The literal darkening of the sun G2246 and moon G4582 is a recurring apocalyptic sign, signifying divine intervention and the shaking of the heavens (Matthew 24:29, Revelation 8:12).
Spiritual Consequences of Rejection: The figurative darkening of the heart and understanding is portrayed as a direct consequence of human rebellion and ignorance G52. It is not merely a passive state but a result of failing to honor God, leading to a foolish G801 heart Romans 1:21.
Impairment of Vision: The word is used in a prayer of judgment, "Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see" Romans 11:10, indicating that the ability to perceive truth can be divinely impaired as a form of retribution.

Summary

In summary, G4654 is a powerful word that conveys the concept of obscurity in both the physical and spiritual realms. It describes dramatic cosmic events that signal God's judgment and, just as importantly, illustrates the internal condition of a heart and mind that is alienated from divine light. Whether describing the sun being extinguished or the understanding being clouded by blindness G4457, skotízō points to a profound loss of light and clarity.

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

Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Future Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
2nd Aorist Active Participle Genitive Singular Masculine 1×
Aorist Passive Imperative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Passive Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Future: Action yet to take place.
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.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
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 8 verses across 6 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Romans and Revelation (2 verses each); never once in the other 21.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

Romans

Ephesians

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.