σκοτόω (skotoō)
skotoō
to darken
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb skotoō means to darken or cover with darkness, a meaning drawn directly from its root word for "darkness." In the New Testament, it appears only three times, primarily in the book of Revelation and once in Ephesians. The sources note that while it can describe literal dimming, it is most significant when used metaphorically.
This figurative usage describes a spiritual condition where the mind is obscured or blinded. In Ephesians 4:18, Paul uses the passive form to explain how Gentiles were once "darkened in their understanding," separated from God due to ignorance and hardness of heart. The word suggests not just a lack of light, but an active state of being covered by it, preventing clear perception.
Translators typically render this as "darkened," capturing the sense of intellectual or spiritual obscurity. Unlike simple ignorance, which might be remedied by information, skotoō implies a deeper condition where the faculties of understanding are hindered, requiring divine intervention to restore clarity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word skotoō describes a heavy covering that blocks light, whether in the physical world or within the human heart. In Ephesians, Paul uses this term to explain how some people become distant from God. It is not merely a lack of information but a deep obscuring of understanding that leaves the mind unable to see clearly. This condition creates a barrier between us and divine life.
Yet this darkness is never permanent for those who seek truth. When we encounter Christ, the light returns to clarify our thoughts and renew our spirits. The Bible shows that God can lift this veil, restoring clarity and hope to anyone willing to turn toward Him. This promise offers comfort to anyone feeling lost or confused in their faith journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- was darkened1×
- darkened,1×
- darkened1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐσκοτώθη1×
- ἐσκοτωμένοι1×
- ἐσκοτωμένη,1×
Key Verses
-
Ephesians 4:18
being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts.
This verse uses the passive form to describe a spiritual state where understanding is obscured, highlighting the need for divine intervention to restore clarity.
-
Revelation of John 9:2
He opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke from a burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit.
Here the word depicts a literal environmental darkening caused by smoke, illustrating the physical intensity of judgment described in Revelation.
-
Revelation of John 16:10
The fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was darkened. They gnawed their tongues because of the pain,
The darkness falls on the beast's kingdom during the final judgments, symbolizing the complete removal of divine light and truth from that realm.