Introduction
Understanding Greek words is crucial for deepening one’s knowledge of the New Testament and its original meanings. The Greek word ἐπάν (epán) is particularly significant as it plays a vital role in connecting ideas, conditions, and clauses within Biblical texts. Its usage is pivotal in interpreting conditional and temporal statements, enhancing our comprehension of passages where timing and sequence are important.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ἐπάν, transliterated as epán [eh-PAN].
- Etymology: A compound of ἐπί (epi, meaning “upon”) and ἄν (án, a particle often denoting contingency or conditionality).
- Part of Speech: Conjunction; used primarily in conditional and temporal clauses.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- When, whenever (used to indicate a future time or condition).
- As soon as, after (indicating a point in time or action contingent on another).
Similar Words: ὅταν (hótan) [HO-tan] is a related word that also means “whenever” or “when,” but it emphasizes more on general conditions or repeated actions rather than specific future instances. ἐπειδάν (epeidán) [eh-pey-DAN] means “when” or “after,” often used for introducing a condition that happens after another event, providing a more explicit causal relationship than ἐπάν.
Further Insights: ἐπάν is used primarily in conditional sentences where the outcome is dependent upon the occurrence of another event or action. As a conjunction, it does not decline, but it requires careful attention to the mood of the verb it governs, usually subjunctive, to understand the contingency or condition being expressed.
Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek to learn more about Greek conjunctions and how they function in complex sentences.
Lexicon Insights
BDAG: Defines ἐπάν as a conditional conjunction meaning “when” or “whenever,” often used to introduce future conditions or actions that are contingent upon another occurrence.
Thayers: Explains ἐπάν as a combination of ἐπί and ἄν, providing the meaning of “when” in the sense of “whenever” or “as soon as.” It is frequently used in narrative or instructional contexts to describe sequences of events.
Vines: Focuses on ἐπάν as a temporal conjunction that introduces actions occurring under certain conditions. It is a vital connector in passages that discuss future events or instructions.
LSJ: Lists ἐπάν as a conditional conjunction found in classical and Hellenistic Greek, meaning “when” or “whenever,” and emphasizes its role in setting conditions or contingencies.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Highlights ἐπάν as a conditional conjunction formed from ἐπί and ἄν, translated as “when” or “whenever,” used to denote an unspecified point in time or a future condition.
Related Scripture References
- Matthew 5:11 – “Blessed are you when [ἐπάν] people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”
- Matthew 6:2 – “So when [ἐπάν] you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men.”
- Luke 11:2 – “And He said to them, ‘When [ἐπάν] you pray, say: Father, hallowed be Your name.'”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text with Greek Word in Parentheses |
|---|---|---|
| Plato | Republic | “And when (ἐπάν) the ruler calls, the citizens must be ready.” |
| Xenophon | Anabasis | “They were to move out when (ἐπάν) the signal was given.” |
| Herodotus | Histories | “The city will be in turmoil when (ἐπάν) the enemies are near.” |
| Septuagint Example | Genesis | “And when (ἐπάν) the morning came, they departed.” |
| Septuagint Example | Exodus | “When (ἐπάν) the Lord delivers you, remember His covenant.” |
| Septuagint Example | Psalms | “Sing praises when (ἐπάν) His glory fills the earth.” |
Summary of ἐπάν (G1875: epán)
The Greek conjunction ἐπάν (epán) serves a critical role in New Testament texts as a conditional or temporal conjunction meaning “when” or “whenever.” It provides a framework for understanding sequences of events or conditions that hinge upon another action. It appears both in classical Greek literature and the Septuagint, demonstrating its utility in a wide range of contexts, from narrative storytelling to theological instructions. Understanding ἐπάν enhances our comprehension of Biblical passages by clarifying the conditions and timing of events.
Did You Know?
Did you know that ἐπάν combines the preposition ἐπί (“upon”) with the particle ἄν, which often indicates contingency? This combination is why ἐπάν functions so effectively in conditional sentences, underscoring the relationship between events or actions in ancient Greek texts.
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