Lexical Summary egkruptó: To hide, to conceal, to embed Original Word: ἐγκρύπτω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hid in. From en and krupto; to conceal in, i.e. Incorporate with -- hid in. see GREEK en see GREEK krupto HELPS Word-studies 1470 egkrýptō (from 1722 /en, "in" and 2928 /krýptō, "hide, bury") – properly, to bury (hide) within, used only of the kingdom of God as it spreads its unstoppable influence – yet is not readily detected (Mt 13:33; Lk 13:21). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and kruptó Definition to conceal in NASB Translation hid (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1470: ἐνκρύπτωἐνκρύπτω: 1 aorist ἐνεκρυψα; to conceal in something, τί εἰς τί (Diodorus 3, 63; Apollod. 1, 5, 1 § 4); contextually, to mingle one thing with another: Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:21 here T Tr WH ἔκρυψεν. (τί τίνι, Homer, Odyssey 5, 488.) Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Greek 1470 occurs only twice in the New Testament and both times appears in the aorist active (“hid” or “mixed in”). The contexts are identical—Jesus’ brief parable of the leaven in Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:21. The verb conveys intentional concealment with transformative purpose. Its rarity sharpens its theological weight: every biblical use is from the lips of the Lord Himself, illustrating the nature of the Kingdom of God. Biblical Context Matthew 13:33 records, “He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour until it was all leavened.’” Luke 13:21 echoes, “It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour until it was all leavened.” Both Evangelists place the saying among parables that highlight the present yet unobtrusive advance of God’s reign. Matthew sets it alongside the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32); Luke couples it with the mustard seed in Luke 13:18-19. The pairing underlines growth: externally visible (mustard tree) and internally pervasive (leaven). Historical and Cultural Setting First-century households routinely reserved a lump of fermented dough from the previous baking to leaven the next batch. “Three measures” (about 39-50 pounds) would feed a large gathering. The deliberate “hiding” of leaven illustrates normal life in a Galilean kitchen but also signals effort: working sizable dough demands vigorous kneading. Ancient hearers would note both the invisibility of the leaven once inserted and the certainty of its effect. Theological Significance 1. Progressive Penetration The verb focuses on the moment the leaven disappears from sight. The Kingdom’s work often begins unnoticed—seedtime before harvest, incubation before manifestation. Yet the leaven’s nature ensures total permeation: “until it was all leavened.” Divine purposes cannot remain partial or abortive (Isaiah 55:10-11; Philippians 1:6). 2. Hidden yet Inevitable Scripture frequently associates concealment with God’s wisdom (Proverbs 25:2; 1 Corinthians 2:7). Here, the hidden agent guarantees inevitable change. Believers labor in hope, trusting that what is not yet visible is nonetheless real and active (2 Corinthians 5:7). 3. Comprehensive Transformation The dough is not merely flavored; its very texture is altered. The Kingdom reorients every sphere—personal, social, cosmic (Romans 8:19-21; Revelation 11:15). The parable anticipates the final consummation when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD” (Habakkuk 2:14). 4. Intended Agency The woman is Christ’s chosen image of Kingdom stewardship. Ordinary, faithful service becomes the conduit for extraordinary outcomes (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Gospel advance routinely rides on hidden obedience—prayer, discipleship, quiet acts of mercy. Leaven: Positive and Negative Imagery Elsewhere leaven can symbolize corrupting influence (Exodus 12:15; Matthew 16:6; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8). The contrast warns that leaven’s power—whether righteous or sinful—spreads. Jesus’ use here is positive, paralleling the mustard seed. The hermeneutical key is context, not a universal rule that leaven equals evil. Scripture’s consistency allows opposite metaphors when authorial intent differs (compare Numbers 21:8-9 and John 3:14-15). Old Testament Foreshadowing Though the precise verb is Greek, the act of hiding or embedding parallels Hebrew ideas: • Psalm 119:11: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Each anticipates a concealed beginning that leads to visible deliverance. Doctrinal Reflections 1. Providence God’s sovereignty operates beneath the surface yet directs history toward His ordained end (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). 2. Sanctification Just as leaven silently alters dough, the Spirit reshapes believers gradually (2 Corinthians 3:18). The hidden work of grace produces manifest fruit. 3. Mission Leaven’s quiet expansion models evangelism through presence and proclamation. Small beginnings in Acts (Acts 1:15) burgeoned into global witness (Colossians 1:6). Ministry Applications • Preaching: Encourage congregations that unseen faithfulness is never futile. Related Greek Terms The verb group κρύπτω (“to hide”) appears in Matthew 5:14 and Colossians 3:3, reinforcing the motif of hidden yet purposeful realities. Strong’s Greek 2928 (κρύπτω) carries many of the same connotations but without the intensive prefix εν-, which stresses insertion. Summary Strong’s Greek 1470 portrays the deliberate embedding of a small, living agent that ultimately reshapes everything it contacts. In the hands of the Master Teacher, this single verb becomes a lens through which to view the quiet certainty of God’s Kingdom—presently concealed in humble settings yet destined to fill the whole creation with glory. Forms and Transliterations εγκεκρυμμένη εγκρύπτων εγκρυφίαν εγκρυφίας εγκρύψεις έγκτητα έγκτητον εγκτήτου εγκυλισθώμεν ενεκρυψεν ενέκρυψεν ἐνέκρυψεν enekrupsen enekrypsen enékrypsenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 13:33 V-AIA-3SGRK: λαβοῦσα γυνὴ ἐνέκρυψεν εἰς ἀλεύρου NAS: a woman took and hid in three pecks KJV: a woman took, and hid in three INT: having taken a woman hid in of flour Luke 13:21 V-AIA-3S |
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