λανθάνω (lanthanō)
lanthanō
be hidden
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb lanthanō describes a state of being hidden or escaping notice. It is not merely about physical concealment but focuses on the experience of remaining unknown or unnoticed, often without the person’s own awareness. In the New Testament, this word appears in contexts where secrecy or sudden revelation plays a key role, such as when Jesus heals a woman who was afraid and did not want others to know (Mark 7:24; Luke 8:47).
A notable feature of lanthanō is its use with an accusative of the person from whom something is hidden. For example, in Acts 26:26 and 2 Peter 3:5–8, it emphasizes that certain truths or events were not known to those who should have recognized them. This usage highlights how divine realities can remain concealed from human perception until they are revealed by God.
The word also carries a sense of doing something unconsciously, as seen in Hebrews 13:2, where entertaining strangers is described as happening "unawares." This reflects the idea that actions or truths may go unnoticed even when they carry significant spiritual weight. Translators often render lanthanō as "hidden" or "unknown," capturing both its literal and metaphorical dimensions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word lanthanō reminds us that our lives often unfold in quiet moments, away from the eyes of others. We may feel unnoticed or invisible, yet God sees every detail. In Luke’s account, a woman healed by Jesus initially tried to remain hidden, but her faith brought her into the light. This shows that while we might seek privacy, God invites us into honest community where our stories can be shared and celebrated.
There is also comfort in the idea that some blessings come without our full awareness. Hebrews suggests that acts of kindness, like welcoming strangers, may carry spiritual weight even when we do not see the immediate result. We are encouraged to trust that God works in these unseen spaces. Whether we are seeking recognition or simply trying to be faithful in secret, we can rest in the knowledge that nothing is truly lost on Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unawares1×
- to be hidden.1×
- should be hidden from1×
- she was hid,1×
- It is concealed from1×
- Hiding1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔλαθόν1×
- ἔλαθεν,1×
- λανθάνειν1×
- λανθάνει1×
- λανθανέτω1×
- λαθεῖν.1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 8:47
When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him declared to him in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
This verse captures the tension between hiding and being known, showing how truth eventually emerges even when we try to conceal our needs.
-
Hebrews 13:2
Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Here the word highlights the mystery of divine presence in ordinary acts of hospitality, reminding us that God works in ways we may not immediately perceive.
-
Acts 26:26
For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner.
Paul uses this term to emphasize that the gospel is not a secret kept in shadows but a public reality known to those willing to see it.