ἐκλαλέω (eklaleō)
eklaleō
to speak out
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb eklaleō means to speak out or divulge information that was previously kept private. It combines the prefix ek ("out") with laleō ("to speak"), creating a vivid image of words being forced into the open rather than remaining hidden.
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 23:22. In this context, the young man reports to the commander that the Jews have made a plot but asks him not to reveal the details yet. The specific choice of eklaleō emphasizes the act of disclosing sensitive information, highlighting the tension between secrecy and necessary communication in a dangerous political situation.
Translators typically render it as "tell" or "reveal," capturing the straightforward nature of the action. Its rarity in Scripture suggests it was used for specific moments where private knowledge needed to be made public, often under pressure or with significant consequences.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek verb eklaleō carries the sense of speaking something out into the open, often from a place of secrecy or hidden knowledge. In Acts 23:22, it describes a young man revealing a dangerous plot to the Roman commander. This word reminds us that truth, when it needs to be shared for protection or justice, is not a sin but a necessary act of clarity.
For your daily life, this word offers comfort in moments where you feel burdened by hidden information. It shows that bringing light to dark situations can be a responsible and wise choice. You are not alone when facing complex decisions about what to share; God understands the weight of such disclosures.
May you find peace knowing that your honesty, when guided by wisdom, contributes to safety and understanding. Trust that God sees your intentions and helps you navigate these sensitive moments with grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to tell1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐκλαλῆσαι1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 23:22
So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”
This verse uses eklaleō to describe the young man's disclosure of a secret plot, highlighting the tension between keeping information private and sharing it for protection.