τραχηλίζω (trachēlizō)
trachēlizō
to lay bare
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb trachēlizō describes a violent physical act: seizing someone by the throat and twisting it back to expose the neck. In ancient wrestling or execution, this maneuver left the victim defenseless and vulnerable. The word carries the weight of forceful exposure, stripping away any protection or concealment.
In Scripture, this term appears only once, in Hebrews 4:13. Here, the physical image becomes a spiritual metaphor. The text states that no creature is hidden from God’s sight; everything is laid bare and exposed before Him. The word emphasizes total transparency, suggesting that divine knowledge penetrates every layer of secrecy.
Translators often render this as "laid open" or "exposed," capturing the sense of being made manifest. The choice of such a graphic verb underscores the seriousness of standing before God. It is not merely about being seen, but about being completely uncovered, with nothing left to hide from the One who judges all things.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word trachēlizō describes a violent act of seizing someone by the throat to expose their neck, leaving them completely vulnerable. In Hebrews 4:13, this graphic image shifts from physical struggle to spiritual reality. It teaches that nothing in your life remains hidden from God’s sight. Every thought, motive, and action is fully exposed before Him.
This transparency can feel unsettling, yet it also brings profound comfort. You do not need to maintain a facade or hide your struggles from the One who knows you best. God sees your true self with perfect clarity, offering grace that matches His complete understanding. There is no shame in being known fully by Him.
Instead of fearing this exposure, we can find rest in the fact that God’s judgment is paired with His mercy. He invites us to bring our whole selves to Him without pretense. In His presence, we are safe to be honest about our weaknesses and hopes alike.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- laid bare1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τετραχηλισμένα1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 4:13
There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.
This verse uses the word to emphasize that divine knowledge penetrates every layer of secrecy, leaving nothing hidden from God.