ἐξαλείφω (exaleiphō)
exaleiphō
to blot out
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb exaleiphō describes the physical act of wiping away or blotting out a substance, such as plastering a wall or washing off a stain. Its core meaning involves removing something that has been written, painted, or marked, effectively erasing its presence from view.
In Scripture, this word carries significant theological weight when applied to spiritual realities. In Colossians 2:14, it describes how God canceled the record of debt that stood against us, wiping it clean as if it never existed. Similarly, Revelation uses the term to speak of tears being wiped away (Revelation 7:17; 21:4) and names being blotted out from the book of life (Revelation 3:5), emphasizing a complete and final removal.
The imagery suggests total obliteration rather than mere covering. Just as one might wash ink from skin or plaster over a rough surface, the word conveys that what was once visible is now entirely gone, leaving no trace behind.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word exaleiphō paints a picture of total removal. It is not about covering up a mistake or hiding a stain; it is about erasing it completely, as if it never existed. When we look at our own failures, the weight of guilt can feel permanent and heavy. Yet Scripture offers a hope that goes deeper than forgiveness. God does not just overlook our sins; He wipes them away entirely.
This promise appears in several powerful moments in the Bible. In Acts 3:19, repentance leads to sins being blotted out, bringing a time of refreshing from the Lord. In Colossians 2:14, the record of debt that stood against us is wiped clean and nailed to the cross. This means our past does not define our future. What was once written against us is now gone.
There is also comfort in how this word describes God’s care for our pain. Revelation 7:17 and 21:4 tell us that God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. In the new creation, there will be no more death, mourning, or pain. The things that hurt us most will be completely removed. This is a guarantee of peace that remains with us even now.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will wipe away1×
- will I blot out1×
- having blotted out1×
- blotting out1×
- He will wipe away1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐξαλείψει2×
- ἐξαλείψω1×
- ἐξαλείψας1×
- ἐξαλειφθῆναι1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 3:19
“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,
This verse links the blotting out of sins directly to the experience of spiritual refreshment from God's presence.
-
Colossians 2:14
wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us. He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.
Here the word describes the complete cancellation of the legal record of debt, which was removed by being nailed to the cross.
-
Revelation of John 3:5
He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
The promise that a name will not be blotted out of the book of life serves as a secure assurance of eternal belonging for those who overcome.
-
Revelation of John 21:4
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more. The first things have passed away.”
This occurrence shows God personally wiping away tears, signaling the total end of sorrow and pain in the new creation.