3021. leukainó

Lexicon

leukainó: To whiten, to make white

Original Word: λευκαίνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: leukainó
Pronunciation: loo-kai'-no
Phonetic Spelling: (lyoo-kah'-ee-no)
Definition: To whiten, to make white
Meaning: I whiten, make white.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

make white, whiten.

From leukos; to whiten -- make white, whiten.

see GREEK leukos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from leukos
Definition
to whiten, to make white
NASB Translation
made...white (1), whiten (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3021: λευκαίνω

λευκαίνω: 1 aorist ἐλευκανα (cf. Winers Grammar, § 13, 1 d.; Buttmann, 41 (35)); (λευκός); from Homer down; the Sept. for הִלְבִּין; to whiten, make white: τί, Mark 9:3; Revelation 7:14.

STRONGS NT 3021a: λευκοβυσσινον [λευκοβυσσινον: Revelation 19:14, WH marginal reading, others βύσσινον λευκόν, see in βύσσινος.]

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word λευκός (leukos), meaning "white."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for λευκαίνω, the concept of whiteness and purity can be related to Hebrew words such as לָבָן (lavan, Strong's Hebrew 3836), meaning "white," and טָהֵר (taher, Strong's Hebrew 2891), meaning "to be clean" or "to purify." These terms similarly convey themes of purity and cleansing in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Usage: The verb λευκαίνω is used in the New Testament to describe the process of making something white or bright, often in a metaphorical or symbolic sense.

Context: The Greek verb λευκαίνω appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize purity, transformation, and divine glory. It is used to describe the transfiguration of Jesus, where His garments became exceedingly white, symbolizing His divine nature and glory. This transformation is not merely physical but also represents spiritual purity and holiness.

In the Gospel of Matthew, λευκαίνω is used in the context of the transfiguration: "His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light" (Matthew 17:2, BSB). Similarly, in Mark's account, it is noted, "His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them" (Mark 9:3, BSB). These passages highlight the supernatural aspect of Jesus' appearance, emphasizing His divine identity.

The term is also used in Revelation to describe the garments of the redeemed, symbolizing their righteousness and purity before God: "They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14, BSB). This imagery conveys the idea of spiritual cleansing and redemption through Christ's sacrifice.

The use of λευκαίνω in these contexts underscores the biblical theme of transformation and purity, both in the life of Jesus and in the lives of believers. It reflects the transformative power of divine grace and the call to holiness.

Forms and Transliterations

ελευκαναν ελεύκαναν ἐλεύκαναν ελεύκανε λευκαίνουσα λευκαναι λευκάναι λευκᾶναι λευκανθήσομαι λευκανθίζοντα λευκανώ λεύκην λεύκης eleukanan eleúkanan leukanai leukânai

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 9:3 V-ANA
GRK: δύναται οὕτως λευκᾶναι
NAS: on earth can whiten them.
KJV: earth can white them.
INT: is able thus to whiten

Revelation 7:14 V-AIA-3P
GRK: αὐτῶν καὶ ἐλεύκαναν αὐτὰς ἐν
NAS: their robes and made them white in the blood
KJV: made them white in the blood
INT: of them and made white them in

Strong's Greek 3021
2 Occurrences

ἐλεύκαναν — 1 Occ.
λευκᾶναι — 1 Occ.