What does σκιά · θάνατος mean in the Bible?
σκιά · θάνατος is a Greek phrase meaning "shadow of death".
Greek · G4639, G2288
σκιᾷ θανάτου
Shadow · (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
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What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
σκιά G4639 shadow
Pronunciation skiá
Shadow as mere outline or copy pointing to the substantial reality it represents, especially in Hebrews theology.
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θάνατος G2288 (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
Pronunciation thánatos
Physical death contrasts with spiritual/eternal death; personified as a power opposing divine life
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What does σκιᾷ θανάτου (skia thanatou) mean in the Bible?
σκιά · θάνατος is a Greek phrase meaning "shadow of death".
Full entry for σκιᾷ θανάτου (G4639, G2288) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G4639, G2288?
G4639, G2288 is connected to 7 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. shadow of death
Source Gloss
shadow of death
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 3 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns 3 Aligned forms 7 Case pattern Dative (3) Number pattern Singular (7)
Nominative · Singular · Feminine Acts 5:15 · Col 2:17 2×
Dative · Singular · Feminine Matt 4:16 · Luke 1:79 · Heb 8:5 3×
Accusative · Singular · Feminine Mark 4:32 · Heb 10:1 2×
Word Origins
σκιᾷ θανάτου is a primary word - no further derivation.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain