Berean Strong's Lexicon aphanés: Invisible, hidden, unseen Original Word: ἀφανής Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix "ἀ-" (a-, meaning "not") and "φαίνω" (phaino, meaning "to appear" or "to shine"). Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "ἀφανής," the concept of invisibility or hiddenness can be related to Hebrew words like "נִסְתָּר" (nistar, meaning "hidden" or "concealed") and "עָלַם" (alam, meaning "to hide" or "to conceal"). Usage: The Greek adjective "ἀφανής" (aphanés) is used to describe something that is not visible or is hidden from sight. In the New Testament, it often conveys the idea of something that is not immediately apparent or is concealed from human perception. This term can be used both in a literal sense, referring to physical invisibility, and in a metaphorical sense, indicating spiritual or moral hiddenness. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, visibility and appearance were often associated with power and presence. The concept of invisibility could imply mystery, divine presence, or the hidden nature of spiritual truths. In Jewish thought, the unseen realm was often associated with the divine, as God Himself is described as invisible. The use of "ἀφανής" in the New Testament reflects these cultural understandings, emphasizing the hidden aspects of God's kingdom and spiritual realities. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and phainó Definition unseen NASB Translation hidden (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 852: ἀφανήςἀφανής, ἀφανες (φαίνω), not manifest, hidden: Hebrews 4:13. (Often in Greek writings from (Aeschylus and) Herodotus down.) (Cf. δῆλος, and Schmidt, chapter 130.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance invisible, hiddenFrom a (as a negative particle) and phaino; non-apparent) -- that is not manifest. see GREEK a see GREEK phaino Forms and Transliterations αφανης αφανής ἀφανὴς aphanes aphanēs aphanḕsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |