Understanding ἐγκρύπτω (egkryptō) Strong’s G1470: The Hidden Power of God’s Kingdom Working Mysteriously Within

Pronunciation Guide: eng-kroop’-to (with a rolling ‘r’ and emphasis on the second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1470: ἐγκρύπτω (egkryptō) describes the action of hiding something within something else, specifically embedding or concealing one substance inside another. In the New Testament, it appears only once in Matthew 13:33, where Yeshua uses it to illustrate how the Kingdom of Heaven works like leaven hidden in flour, working invisibly yet powerfully from within. This word conveys the mysterious, transformative work that happens beneath the surface, out of sight, yet producing visible results.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Compound Word: Formed from ἐν (en, “in/within”) + κρύπτω (kryptō, “to hide/conceal”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Parables and metaphorical teaching

ἐγκρύπτω Morphology:

• ἐγκρύπτω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I hide within
• ἐγκρύπτεις (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you hide within
• ἐγκρύπτει (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it hides within
• ἐνέκρυψα (aorist active indicative, 1st person singular) – I hid within
• ἐνέκρυψεν (aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it hid within (form used in Matthew 13:33)

Origin & History

The compound verb ἐγκρύπτω derives from combining the preposition ἐν (en, “in/within”) with the verb κρύπτω (kryptō, “to hide/conceal”). In classical Greek literature, it was used to describe concealing something inside another substance, often with the implication that the hidden item would affect or transform its container. Xenophon, in his “Oeconomicus,” uses related forms to describe storing valuables in secure places within the home.

In the Septuagint (LXX), while the specific form ἐγκρύπτω is rare, related words from the same root κρύπτω appear frequently to describe concealment, particularly in contexts where יהוה (Yahweh) hides His face (Deuteronomy 32:20) or where humans attempt to hide from Divine presence (Genesis 3:8). The concept of concealment in Hebrew thought often carries theological significance, suggesting divine mystery or the hiddenness of יהוה’s ways that are beyond human comprehension. Early church fathers like Origen and Chrysostom expanded on this idea in their homilies on Matthew, seeing in ἐγκρύπτω a picture of how Divine truth works mysteriously within the human heart.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Intentional Concealment – To deliberately hide something within another substance, with purpose and design
• Transformative Integration – To embed something that will change or affect its container from within
• Complete Immersion – To fully incorporate one substance into another so that they become inseparable
• Hidden Operation – To work invisibly yet powerfully from within, producing visible effects

ἐγκρύπτω Translation Options:

• “To hide within” – Emphasizes the act of concealment within another substance, capturing the basic meaning but missing some of the transformative implications
• “To knead into” – Particularly appropriate for the Matthew 13:33 context, emphasizing the thorough mixing and integration
• “To embed” – Captures both the concealment and the continuing presence of the hidden element
• “To infuse” – Suggests the transformative aspect, where the hidden element permeates and changes what contains it
• “To conceal within” – Emphasizes the intentional nature of the hiding, suggesting purpose behind the concealment

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἐγκρύπτω appears only once, in Matthew 13:33 (and its parallel in Luke 13:21, though with slight variation in form). Here, Yeshua tells a parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid [ἐνέκρυψεν] in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” This singular usage carries tremendous theological weight, as it illustrates how the Kingdom of Heaven operates—not through external force or visible power, but through an internal, transformative process that starts small and hidden yet eventually permeates and transforms the entire substance.

While ἐγκρύπτω itself appears only once, the concept of hiddenness and revelation is a major theme throughout Scripture. The root word κρύπτω and related terms appear frequently, often in contexts discussing spiritual truths that are hidden from some but revealed to others, or things concealed that will eventually be made manifest.

• “Another parable He spoke to them: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid [ἐνέκρυψεν] in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.'” Matthew 13:33
• “It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid [ἔκρυψεν] in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” Luke 13:21 (using a variant form)

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, leaven (שְׂאֹר, se’or) carried ambivalent symbolism. During Passover, it was removed from homes as a symbol of purging sin and corruption. However, in everyday life, leaven was a powerful agent of transformation used in baking bread, an essential staple food. When a woman prepared dough, she would take a small piece of fermented dough from a previous batch and mix it into the new dough. This process of “hiding” leaven within flour was a daily domestic activity familiar to every household.

The “three measures of flour” mentioned in the parable (about 50 pounds) is a significant amount, enough to feed over 100 people. This quantity recalls the bread Sarah prepared for the three heavenly visitors in Genesis 18:6, connecting the parable to ancient Hebrew hospitality traditions and suggesting that the Kingdom’s transformative power extends far beyond individual lives to affect entire communities. The parable’s use of a woman as the agent who hides the leaven would have been particularly striking in the patriarchal society of first-century Judaism, suggesting that the Kingdom works through unexpected agents and means.

Theological Significance

The singular use of ἐγκρύπτω in the New Testament carries profound theological implications. Through this parable, Yeshua reveals that the Kingdom of Heaven operates counter to human expectations of power and prominence. Instead of manifesting through external might or visible authority, God’s Kingdom works mysteriously from within, transforming lives and communities through seemingly insignificant beginnings. This reflects יהוה’s consistent pattern throughout Scripture of using the small, the hidden, and the overlooked to accomplish His purposes.

The verb ἐγκρύπτω also points to the incarnational nature of God’s work. Just as the Word became flesh and “dwelt among us” (John 1:14), so the Kingdom is “hidden” within the world, working for transformation from within rather than imposing change from without. This reveals God’s respect for human freedom and His desire for organic, authentic transformation rather than forced compliance. The Kingdom grows not through coercion but through invitation and internal renewal.

Additionally, this concept of hiddenness speaks to the “already but not yet” nature of the Kingdom. Like leaven working silently in dough, God’s reign is already present and active in the world, though its full manifestation remains hidden from view. Believers live in the tension of experiencing the Kingdom’s reality while awaiting its complete revelation, trusting that what is now hidden will eventually be fully revealed.

Personal Application

The powerful imagery of ἐγκρύπτω invites us to reconsider how we perceive God’s work in our lives and in the world. Often, we crave dramatic, visible manifestations of God’s power, but the leaven principle reminds us that His most transformative work happens beneath the surface, in the hidden places of our hearts and communities. This should encourage us during seasons when spiritual growth seems slow or imperceptible—like leaven in dough, God’s Spirit is working powerfully even when we cannot see immediate results.

This principle also challenges us to examine our own approach to spiritual influence. Rather than seeking prominent positions or spectacular displays, we might be called to be “hidden leaven” in our spheres of influence—working quietly, consistently, and transformatively from within. The Kingdom spreads not primarily through grand gestures but through countless small acts of faithfulness, love, and integrity that gradually transform the environments we inhabit.

Related Words

• κρύπτω (kryptō) – to hide, conceal, keep secret (pronounced kroop’-to) – The root verb from which ἐγκρύπτω is derived, referring to hiding something without the specific connotation of hiding within another substance. See G2928
• ἀποκρύπτω (apokryptō) – to hide away, conceal thoroughly (pronounced ap-ok-roop’-to) – Emphasizes complete concealment or keeping something fully hidden, often with the implication of divine purpose in the concealment. See G613
• κρυπτός (kryptos) – hidden, secret, concealed (pronounced kroop-tos’) – The adjectival form related to κρύπτω, describing something that is hidden or secret, often used in contrast to what is openly revealed. See G2927
• μυστήριον (mystērion) – mystery, secret (pronounced moos-tay’-ree-on) – Though from a different root, this word shares conceptual space with ἐγκρύπτω, referring to divine truths once hidden but now revealed to believers. See G3466
• ζύμη (zymē) – leaven, yeast (pronounced dzoo’-may) – While not directly related etymologically, this word is conceptually linked to ἐγκρύπτω in the parable where it appears, representing the hidden transformative agent. See G2219

Did You Know?

• The concept behind ἐγκρύπτω has given us the modern English word “encrypt,” which refers to hiding information through coding or ciphers. Just as the Kingdom is “encrypted” within the world—visible only to those with eyes to see—so encrypted messages are readable only to those with the proper key.
• In ancient bread-making, the process of hiding leaven within dough was vitally important. If not properly mixed and hidden throughout the dough, the bread would rise unevenly or not at all. This emphasizes the thoroughness implied in ἐγκρύπτω—the Kingdom’s transformative power must permeate every aspect of our lives, not just isolated compartments.
• While ἐγκρύπτω itself appears only once in the New Testament, the concept of hiddenness and revelation is central to Yeshua’s teaching method. He frequently told parables that concealed truth from casual hearers while revealing it to committed disciples, saying, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given” (Matthew 13:11). This pattern reflects the very nature of God’s Kingdom as something hidden yet powerfully present.

Remember This

ἐγκρύπτω reminds us that the most powerful transformations often begin in the most hidden places—like leaven working silently in dough, God’s Kingdom operates not through visible might but through the quiet, persistent power of His Spirit working mysteriously within hearts, lives, and communities.