What does ἅπτω · λύχνος mean in the Bible?
ἅπτω · λύχνος is a Greek phrase meaning "lights a lamp".
Greek · G681, G3088
ἅπτει λύχνον
To touch · a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively)
Reading a lexicon entry
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.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
ἅπτωG681to touch
Pronunciationháptō
Touch with power to fasten or grip; stronger than mere contact, implies significant connection or restraint.
Open lexicon entry →λύχνοςG3088a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively)
Pronunciationlýchnos
Portable lamp providing localized light; figuratively represents spiritual illumination, witnessing, or divine presence.
Open lexicon entry →What does ἅπτει λύχνον (haptei lychnon) mean in the Bible?
ἅπτω · λύχνος is a Greek phrase meaning "lights a lamp".
Full entry for ἅπτει λύχνον (G681, G3088) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G681, G3088?
G681, G3088 is connected to 39 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. lights a lamp
Source Gloss
lights a lamp
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups5Aligned forms39TensesAorist, PresentVoicesMiddle, Active
Tenses
Voices
Indicativestates a fact or reality20×
Aorist MiddleMatt 8:3 · Matt 8:15 · Matt 9:20 · Matt 9:29 · Matt 20:34 · Mark 1:41 · Mark 5:27 · Mark 5:30 · Mark 5:31 · Mark 7:33 · Luke 5:13 · Luke 7:14 · Luke 8:44 · Luke 8:46 · Luke 8:47 · Matt 14:3617×
Present MiddleLuke 7:39 · 1 John 5:182×
Present ActiveLuke 15:81×
Subjunctivepossibility, probability, or purpose9×
Aorist MiddleMatt 14:36 · Mark 3:10 · Mark 6:56 · Matt 9:21 · Mark 5:28 · Mark 8:22 · Mark 10:13 · Col 2:218×
Present MiddleLuke 18:151×
Participleverbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality6×
Aorist MiddleMatt 17:7 · Luke 8:45 · Luke 22:513×
Aorist ActiveLuke 8:16 · Luke 11:33 · Acts 28:23×
Infinitiveverbal noun — the action in abstract2×
Present MiddleLuke 6:19 · 1 Cor 7:12×
Imperativecommand or strong request2×
Present MiddleJohn 20:17 · 2 Cor 6:172×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 6 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
aorist5present1
Voice
active5middle1
Mood
participle5indicative1
NT Occurrences
Matthew 17:7ἁψάμενοςaorist middle participleparticipleLuke 8:16ἅψαςaorist active participleparticipleLuke 11:33ἅψαςaorist active participleparticipleLuke 15:8ἅπτειpresent active indicativeongoingLuke 22:55περιαψάντωνaorist active participleparticipleActs 28:2ἅψαντεςaorist active participleparticiple
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Origins
ἅπτει λύχνον is a primary verb - no further derivation.