ἄφαντος
aphantos
disappearing
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἄφαντος (aphantos) conveys the idea of being "disappearing" or "hidden from sight." Its short definition and limited occurrences in the Bible (only one instance) indicate its specialized nature. As a lemma, it likely modifies a concept or object, suggesting that something is vanishing or rendered invisible. Given its definition and context, we can infer that ἄφαντος implies a physical or visual absence, rather than a metaphysical or spiritual one. Its significance lies in its ability to convey the impermanence or concealment of a tangible thing. In the sole instance of its usage, its meaning will be understood within the specific sentence structure and surrounding context. The usage frequency of this word suggests that it is not a common or central concept in the Bible. Nonetheless, its unique characteristic enriches the vocabulary available to express ideas about presence, visibility, and impermanence. Its limited usage also hints at the author's deliberate choice to use it, indicating its intended specialness or emphasis in the narrative.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence across the text