Lexical Summary
deiknumi: To show, to point out, to make known
Original Word: δείκνυμι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: deiknumi
Pronunciation: DYK-noo-mee
Phonetic Spelling: (dike-noo'-o)
KJV: shew
NASB: show, showed, shown, bring, shows
Word Origin: [a prolonged form of an obsolete primary of the same meaning]
1. to show
{literally or figuratively}
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
show
A prolonged form of an obsolete primary of the same meaning; to show (literally or figuratively) -- shew.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom a prim. root deik-
Definitionto show
NASB Translationbring (1), show (21), showed (8), shown (2), shows (1).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1166: δεικνύωδεικνύω (
δεικνύειν,
Matthew 16:21;
δεικνύεις,
John 2:18;
τοῦ δεικνύοντός,
Revelation 22:8 (not
Tdf.)) and
δείκνυμι (
1 Corinthians 12:31;
Matthew 4:8;
John 5:20; cf.
Buttmann, 45 (39)); future
δείξω; 1 aorist
ἔδειξα; 1 aorist passive participle
δειχθεις (
Hebrews 8:5); the
Sept. mostly for
הִרְאָה;
to show, exhibit;
1. properly, to show, i. e. expose to the eyes: τίνι τί, Matthew 4:8; Luke 4:5; Luke 20:24 (for Rec. ἐπιδείξατέ);
2. metaphorically,
a. with the accusative of the thing, to give the evidence or proof of a thing: πίστιν, James 2:18; τί ἐκ τίνος, as τήν πίστιν ἐκ τῶν ἔργων, ibid.; τά ἔργα ἐκ τῆς καλῆς ἀναστροφῆς, James 3:13.
b. to show by words, to teach: followed by ὅτι, Matthew 16:21 (διδάσκειν in Mark 8:31 for δεικνύειν); followed by an infinitive Acts 10:28. (Compare: ἀναδείκνυμι, ἀποδείκνυμι, ἐνδείκνυμι, ἐπιδείκνυμι, ὑποδείκνυμι.)
Topical Lexicon
Overview A single Greek verb lies behind a rich range of New Testament scenes in which something hidden becomes visible, certain, and personally engaging. Whether the subject is the Father, the risen Christ, an angelic messenger, or a human disciple, the action consistently moves from concealment to clarity so that faith is informed, strengthened, and compelled toward obedience.
Divine Revelation
The book of Revelation opens and closes with God’s deliberate unveiling: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass” (Revelation 1:1). The same purpose frames the final chapter: “The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place” (Revelation 22:6). In these scenes God does not merely tell; He shows—granting John sensory visions so vivid that the church can share in them across the centuries (Revelation 4:1; 17:1; 21:9-10; 22:1). The verb underlines the personal initiative of God, who desires His people to know His plans and character.
Christological Usage
The Gospels present Jesus as both the One who shows and the One who is shown. Satan’s temptation “showed Him all the kingdoms of the world” (Matthew 4:8; Luke 4:5), a counterfeit revelation that Jesus rejects. By contrast, the Father “shows Him all He Himself is doing, and He will show Him even greater works than these” (John 5:20). When Philip pleads, “Lord, show us the Father” (John 14:8), Jesus replies, “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). The crucified and risen Christ then “showed them His hands and His side” (John 20:20), grounding faith in tangible evidence.
Demonstration of Authority and Authenticity
Miraculous works in John 2:18, 10:32 and the synoptic healings of lepers (Matthew 8:4; Mark 1:44; Luke 5:14) stress that divine authority is displayed, not merely claimed. In Acts 10:28 Peter recalls how God “showed” him that no person is unclean, validating the Gentile mission. Hebrews 8:5 reminds readers that the earthly tabernacle copies the heavenly reality Moses was “shown” on the mountain, underscoring the reliability of God’s pattern.
Instruction and Discipleship
Jesus often commands visual demonstration to expose motives or teach truth: “Show Me a denarius” (Luke 20:24). In the Upper Room, He predicts that a man carrying water will “show you a large upper room” (Mark 14:15; Luke 22:12), guiding the disciples’ obedience. Paul captures the principle for Christian service: “But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you a most excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31), introducing the love chapter.
Ethical Proof in James
James harnesses the verb to confront empty confession: “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds” (James 2:18), and again, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct” (James 3:13). Here seeing authenticates believing; visible works confirm invisible faith.
Eschatological Visions
Revelation’s climactic scenes employ the verb repeatedly as angels “show” John the Bride, the holy city, the river of life, and the tree of life (Revelation 21:10; 22:1). The future is not speculative but displayed, assuring believers that final hope is concrete.
Practical Ministry Applications
1. Preaching: Move from explanation to demonstration—illustrate doctrine with narrative, testimony, and enacted obedience.
2. Pastoral care: Follow the Master who showed His scars; authenticity invites trust.
3. Evangelism: Like Philip in John 1:46, say “Come and see,” allowing seekers to witness living faith.
4. Discipleship: Encourage believers to “show” their faith through works of love, mirroring James.
5. Prayer: Ask God to show His will (Acts 7:3) and to reveal “the things that must soon take place” in personal and corporate life.
Historical-Theological Reflection
Church history repeatedly demonstrates the power of visible witness: martyrs displaying courage, missionaries exhibiting sacrificial love, reformers uncovering biblical truth. The verb behind “show” reminds each generation that revelation is not abstract; God brings truth into the realm of sight and experience so that believers may act with conviction.
Representative Passages
Matthew 4:8; John 5:20; John 14:8-9; John 20:20; Acts 10:28; 1 Corinthians 12:31; James 2:18; Revelation 1:1; Revelation 22:6.
Summary
Where Scripture says God, Christ, angels, or disciples “show,” revelation meets reality. The action overturns ignorance, verifies authority, and summons a lived response. In every testament, to be shown is to be invited into deeper faith, fuller obedience, and brighter hope.
Forms and Transliterations
δεδειγμένον δέδειχα δέδειχά δεικνυειν δεικνύειν δεικνυεις δεικνύεις δεικνυμι δείκνυμι δεικνυοντος δεικνύοντός δεικνύουσιν δεικνυσιν δείκνυσιν δεικνύω δεικνύων δειλαια δειλαία δείλαιοί δείλην δείλης δειξαι δείξαι δείξαί δεῖξαι Δειξατε Δείξατέ δειξατω δειξάτω δειξει δείξει δείξεις δείξη δειξον δείξον δείξόν δεῖξον δείξουσιν δειξω δείξω δειχθεντα δειχθέντα εδειξα έδειξα ἔδειξα έδειξαν έδειξας έδειξάς έδειξε έδειξέ εδειξεν εδείξεν έδειξεν ἔδειξεν ἔδειξέν deichthenta deichthénta deiknuein deiknueis deiknumi deiknuontos deiknusin deiknyein deiknýein deiknyeis deiknýeis deiknymi deíknymi deiknyontos deiknýontós deiknysin deíknysin deixai deîxai Deixate Deíxaté deixato deixatō deixáto deixátō deixei deíxei deixo deixō deíxo deíxō deixon deîxon edeixa édeixa edeixen édeixen édeixén
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