Greek word · G1213

δηλόω

dēloō

to make clear

To make clear or plain, to reveal, to show, to inform or report. The root idea is turning something unclear (adēlos) into something clear (dēlos). In ordinary speech it is often just 'to let someone know'.

Appears 7 times in 7 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

δηλόω, -ῶ

[in LXX chiefly for ידע ;]

to make plain, declare: with accusative, 1 Corinthians 3:13, Colossians 1:8, Hebrews 9:8 12:27; with dative of person(s), 2 Peter 1:14; with dative of person(s), before περί (pass.), 1 Corinthians 1:11; before εἰς, 1 Peter 1:11.†

SYN.: ἐμφανίζω, to make manifest, render visible to the sight; δ. to render evident to the mind. (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Colossians 1:8

Range of meaning

To make clear or plain, to reveal, to show, to inform or report. The root idea is turning something unclear (adēlos) into something clear (dēlos). In ordinary speech it is often just 'to let someone know'. In religious settings it can mean 'to reveal' (1 Cor 3:13; 1 Pet 1:11; 2 Pet 1:14; Heb 9:8; 12:27).

Against the English

'Declared' (KJV, WEB, YLT) sounds formal, almost like a proclamation. 'Informed' (BSB, NASB) and 'told' (NIV) are closer to everyday reporting. 'Made known' (ESV) sits between the two. None of them distorts the sense. The word does carry a note of clarity, a definite account.

Used elsewhere in the period

It is common in classical and Koine Greek for giving notice or explaining. Papyrus letters use it for 'I inform you that…'. The Septuagint uses it for making something known, including God revealing things (e.g. Exod 6:3, where God says his name was not 'made known' to the patriarchs). Paul uses it in 1 Cor 1:11, where 'it has been made clear to me' introduces a report from Chloe's people. That is the same reporting sense as here.

From the study of Hebrews 9:8

Range of meaning

To make visible or clear; to show, indicate, explain, reveal what something means. It is often used when a sign, an oracle, a text or an arrangement 'signifies' something beyond itself.

Against the English

KJV 'signifying', WEB 'indicating' and BSB 'showing' are all accurate. Translations differ on tense: Greek has a present participle (the Spirit is making clear), which WEB keeps ('is indicating'). BSB and NIV put it in the past ('was showing').

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament, the related noun dēlōsis ('making clear') translates Urim, the priestly device for discovering God's will (Exod 28:30). 1 Peter 1:11 has a close parallel: 'the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating (edēlou)'. Hebrews 12:27 uses the same verb for the meaning of a Scripture phrase ('this indicates'). Philo and Josephus regularly use it for what a scriptural detail means.

From the study of 2 Peter 1:14

Range of meaning

To make clear, show, reveal, indicate. It is used of ordinary explanation and of divine disclosure.

Against the English

'Made clear' (BSB, WEB) is accurate. KJV/YLT 'shewed' is fine but weaker.

Used elsewhere in the period

1 Pet 1:11: the Spirit of Christ in the prophets 'was indicating (ἐδήλου)' the sufferings of Christ. 1 Cor 3:13: the Day 'will make it clear'. Heb 9:8: the Holy Spirit 'indicates'. In the Greek Old Testament it is often used for God making something known.

Where it appears

1 Corinthians · 2

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:11 Ἐδηλώθη It was shown

    My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.

  2. 1 Corinthians 3:13 δηλώσει, will disclose [it],

    his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.

    Here: "Will make it plain" or "will show it". The Day sets the record straight and ends the uncertainty and competing opinions about whose work is any good.

Colossians · 1

  1. Colossians 1:8 δηλώσας having made known

    and who also informed us of your love in the Spirit.

    Here: An aorist participle. That is a verb form that looks at one completed act: 'having made known'. Epaphras gave a clear report. The word suggests a definite account, not a rumour.

Hebrews · 2

  1. Hebrews 9:8 δηλοῦντος was signifying

    By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.

    Here: Present participle: the Spirit 'is making clear', an ongoing act. The sense is pointing out a meaning that was hidden in plain sight, the way an interpreter shows what a sign means.

  2. Hebrews 12:27 δηλοῖ signifies

    The words “Once more” signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain.

1 Peter · 1

  1. 1 Peter 1:11 ἐδήλου was signifying

    trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

    Here: Imperfect tense: the Spirit 'was pointing to' it, repeatedly or over time, while the prophets spoke. The prophets had a clear signal that something was coming but had to work at when and what kind.

2 Peter · 1

  1. 2 Peter 1:14 ἐδήλωσέν has made clear

    because I know that this tent will soon be laid aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

    Here: Aorist tense, describing a single past act: at some definite point the Lord made this plain to Peter. The verb is often used for revelation, for making known something that was hidden.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.