Greek word · G343

ἀνακαλύπτω

anakalyptō

to unveil

To uncover or unveil, used of lifting a covering or a veil.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἀνα-καλύπτω

[in LXX chiefly for גָּלָה ni., pi. ;]

to unveil: metaphorically of removing hindrance to perception of spiritual things, 2 Corinthians 3:14 3:18.†

(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 2 Corinthians 3:18

Range of meaning

To uncover or unveil, used of lifting a covering or a veil.

Against the English

KJV's "open face" can sound to modern ears like a frank, honest expression. The point is that no veil is covering the face.

How it drifted

In 1611, "open" meant uncovered. Today "open-faced" or "open countenance" suggests candor.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek Exod 34:34–35: Moses took off the veil (kalymma) when he went in before the LORD. 2 Cor 3:14: the veil remains, "not being unveiled" (mē anakalyptomenon).

Where it appears

2 Corinthians · 2

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:14 ἀνακαλυπτόμενον, being lifted,

    But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed.

    Here: 'Not being unveiled'. It either describes the veil ('remains unlifted') or stands on its own ('it not being revealed that…'). Paul echoes it in v.18, where believers behold 'with unveiled face'.

  2. 2 Corinthians 3:18 ἀνακεκαλυμμένῳ unveiled

    And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

    Here: This is a perfect participle, a form for a past act whose result still stands: the veil was taken off and stays off. It picks up the veil that is "not lifted" in 3:14 and that "is taken away" when someone turns to the Lord in 3:16.

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