G613

ἀποκρύπτω

apokrýptō /ap-ok-roop'-to/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ἀπό and κρύπτω
Meaningto conceal away (i.e. fully); figuratively, to keep secret
KJV usagehide.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of apokrýptō — 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 apokrýptō, represented by G613, is used to hide or fully conceal. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from ἀπό and κρύπτω, its definition is to conceal away or, figuratively, to keep something secret.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G613 is used in both a literal and a figurative sense. In the parable of the talents, a servant literally hid his lord's money after he "digged in the earth" Matthew 25:18. More frequently, the term carries a theological weight, referring to truths or wisdom that God has hid. Jesus thanks the Father for having hid "these things from the wise and prudent" while revealing them to "babes" (Matthew 11:25, Luke 10:21). This theme continues in the epistles, where the gospel is described as a mystery that had been hid for ages but is now revealed (Colossians 1:26, Ephesians 3:9).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the concept of hiding and revealing:

  • G601 apokalýptō (to take off the cover, i.e. disclose:--reveal): This word serves as a direct antonym. It is used in the same breath as G613 to show that what God has hid from one group, he has revealed to another Matthew 11:25.
  • G3466 mystḗrion (a secret or "mystery"): This is often the object that has been hid. Paul speaks of the "wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom" 1 Corinthians 2:7, which was concealed for generations.
  • G5319 phaneróō (to render apparent): This word describes the outcome of what was once hidden. The mystery that was hid from ages is now "made manifest to his saints" Colossians 1:26.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G613 is primarily tied to the nature of divine revelation.

  • Sovereign Concealment: The word highlights God's sovereignty in choosing to whom He reveals truth. He actively hid profound spiritual realities from those considered wise and prudent by worldly standards Luke 10:21.
  • The Mystery of Christ: G613 is essential for understanding the unfolding of God's plan. The gospel, specifically the inclusion of the Gentiles, is described as a mystery which was hid in God from the beginning of the world Ephesians 3:9 and through past generations Colossians 1:26.
  • Accountability for what is Revealed: The literal use of the word in the parable of the talents serves as a warning against burying or failing to act upon what has been given, contrasting with the proper stewardship of what is revealed Matthew 25:18.

Summary

In summary, G613 conveys more than simple concealment. It moves from a literal action of burying money to a profound theological concept. It frames the gospel as a divine mystery, purposefully hid by God for ages and now revealed according to His will. The word underscores a key biblical theme: divine truth is not discovered by human wisdom but is a gift revealed by God to the humble.

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 2nd Singular 1×
  • 2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
  • Perfect Passive Participle Accusative Singular Feminine 1×
  • Perfect Passive Participle Accusative Singular Neuter 1×
  • Perfect Passive Participle Genitive Singular Neuter 1×
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
Neuter
Neuter grammatical gender.
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.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G601 ἀποκαλύπτω from ἀπό and καλύπτω; to take off the cover, i.e. disclose:--reveal. G3466 μυστήριον from a derivative of (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into G5319 φανερόω from φανερός; to render apparent (literally or figuratively):--appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew

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 Matthew (2 verses); never once in the other 22.

2
Matthew
1
Luke
1
1 Corinthians
1
Ephesians
1
Colossians

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.