ἐκλάμπω
I shine forth
Definition
ἐκλάμπω means 'to shine forth' or 'to radiate out,' describing a brilliant light emerging from a source. In its single New Testament occurrence (Matthew 13:43), it depicts the righteous shining like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. The verb carries the sense of a sudden, glorious, and visible manifestation of light. It implies not just a steady glow, but an active, outward bursting of radiance from within.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 13:43, within Jesus's explanation of the Parable of the Weeds. It describes the eschatological destiny of the righteous in the final kingdom. The context is one of final judgment and vindication, where the righteous are not merely present but are actively and gloriously radiant.
Etymology
Derived from the preposition ἐκ (ek, meaning 'out of') and the verb λάμπω (lampō, meaning 'to shine'). It is a compound verb that intensifies the root idea of shining to mean 'to shine out,' 'to beam forth,' or 'to radiate brilliantly.' Cognates include λύχνος (lychnos, 'lamp') and φωστήρ (phōstēr, 'light-giver').
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it vividly captures the future glorification and transformation of believers. In Matthew 13:43, it connects the destiny of the righteous to the language of divine glory and radiance (cf. Daniel 12:3). Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading by emphasizing that the believer's final state is not passive but is an active, brilliant reflection of God's own glory in Christ, sharing in the splendor of the kingdom.
In a culture without electric light, metaphors of shining and radiance were powerful symbols of divine presence, purity, victory, and revelation. The image of the righteous shining like the sun would evoke associations with God's glory, angelic beings, and the ideal of moral and spiritual purity being made visibly magnificent. It contrasts the hiddenness of the present age with the stunning, public manifestation of God's verdict in the age to come.
λάμπω (lampō, G2989) — a more general term for 'to shine' or 'give light.' φαίνω (phainō, G5316) — often means 'to appear' or 'to shine,' with a focus on becoming visible or manifest. ἀστράπτω (astraptō, G797) — means 'to flash' or 'lighten,' often for sudden, lightning-like brilliance.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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