δῆλος G1212
clear, evident, manifest, plain; visible to the mind or senses, leaving no room for doubt or obscurity
Originally describing what is visible to the eye, δῆλος came to denote what is clear or obvious to the mind. In the New Testament's three occurrences, it consistently indicates something manifest beyond reasonable doubt. Peter's Galilean accent made it 'evident' he belonged with Jesus (Matt 26:73). Paul uses it when reasoning from Scripture—it's 'clear' that a certain exception applies (1 Cor 15:27), and 'evident' that no one is justified by the law (Gal 3:11). The word conveys not mere visibility but unmistakable clarity.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The cognitive clarity sense dominates New Testament usage. Each occurrence introduces a conclusion that should be obvious to any reasonable observer: Peter's accent reveals his identity, a logical exception needs no explicit statement, and justification by law contradicts the prophet's clear teaching. The consistent rendering across languages—'clear', 'evident', 'manifest', 'offenbar'—reflects this epistemological function. The word appears in contexts where evidence eliminates ambiguity, making something intellectually plain rather than merely physically visible. 3×
AR["واضِحٌ", "وَاضِحَةٌ"]·ben["স্পষ্ট", "স্পষ্ট;"]·DE["offenbar", "δῆλόν"]·EN["clear", "evident"]·FR["évident"]·heb["בָּרוּר", "גָּלוּי"]·HI["प्रकट", "स्पशतिक;", "स्पष्ट"]·ID["jelas"]·IT["delon", "dēlon", "evidente"]·jav["cetha", "cètha", "cètha;"]·KO["명백하다;", "분명하니라", "분명하다"]·PT["claro", "evidente", "é-evidente"]·RU["явно", "явным", "ясно"]·ES["claro", "evidente"]·SW["dhahiri", "ni-wazi"]·TR["açık", "açıktır", "belli"]·urd["ظاہر"]
Related Senses
H3045 1. Qal: to know, perceive, understand (829×)H5315 1. soul, inner being (647×)H3820a 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (572×)H4672 1. Qal: find, discover (289×)G1492 1. know facts or truths (285×)H3824 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (250×)H1245 1. seek, search for (200×)G1097 1. know, be acquainted with (196×)H2142 1. Qal: remember, recall (173×)G2588 1. heart (inner self, mind, will) (158×)H0977 1. choose, select (Qal active) (145×)G2147 1. find, discover (144×)G5590 1. soul, inner self (100×)H4672 2. Niphal: be found, be discovered (99×)H1875 1. seek, search for (96×)H5315 2. life, vitality (94×)H1847 1. knowledge, discernment (90×)H2450 1. wise, prudent (84×)H7911 1. Qal: to forget (83×)H3684 1. fool, dullard (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
δῆλος (also Doric dialect, Refs 4th c.BC+, η, ον, also ος, ον Refs 5th c.BC+: Epic dialect δέελος: __I properly visible, conspicuous, δέελον δ᾽ ἐπὶ σῆμά τ᾽ ἔθηκε Refs 8th c.BC+ __II commonly, clear to the mind, manifest, νῦν δ᾽ ἤδη τόδε δ. Refs 8th c.BC+ __II.2 δ. εἰμι is frequently used with participle, δ. ἐστιν ἀλγεινῶς φέρων i.e. it is clear that he takes it ill, Refs 5th c.BC+; οἳ ἂν δ. ὦσι…