Greek word · G826

αὐγάζω

augazō

to see

(1) Transitive: to see clearly, discern, look at (classical poetry). (2) Intransitive: to shine, beam, dawn. The Septuagint uses it for bright spots on the skin in Lev 13 (e.g. 13:24–28).

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 22, 2026

What it means

αὐγάζω

(αὐγή), [in LXX: Leviticus 13:24-28, 38 14:56 (בֹּהֶרֶת) Leviticus 13:39 (כֵּהֶה)* ;]

1. Trans. (cl.), to irradiate.

2. Intrans.

(a) (poët.), to see clearly (so perh. 2 Co, l.with; MM, see word)

(b) as in LXX, to shine forth: 2 Corinthians 4:4 (cf. δι-, κατ-αυγάζω).†

(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 4:4

Range of meaning: (1) Transitive: to see clearly, discern, look at (classical poetry). (2) Intransitive: to shine, beam, dawn. The Septuagint uses it for bright spots on the skin in Lev 13 (e.g. 13:24–28).
Against the English: BSB, NIV, ESV and NASB take sense (1): 'cannot see'. KJV, WEB and YLT take sense (2): 'shine unto them', 'dawn on them'. KJV's 'unto them' depends on the later added word αὐτοῖς.
Used elsewhere in the period: BDAG lists both senses. It appears only here in the New Testament. Commentators are divided (see debates).

Where it appears

2 Corinthians · 1

2 Corinthians 4:4 αὐγάσαι to beam forth

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Here: This verb can mean 'see clearly' (the blinded mind cannot see the light) or 'shine forth, dawn' (the light does not dawn on them). Either way, the light is there and it does not get through to them.

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