Brief Overview of ἐπίκειμαι (Strong’s G1945: epíkeimai)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words is essential for gaining a deeper comprehension of Biblical texts and their cultural and historical contexts. The word ἐπίκειμαι (epíkeimai), Strong’s G1945, is particularly significant as it means “to lie upon,” “to press upon,” or “to be imposed upon.” This verb is relevant in New Testament interpretation, especially in contexts where the idea of something being imposed or pressing heavily is metaphorical for urgency, authority, or burden. In ancient Greek culture, such expressions often carried physical, emotional, and moral implications.

Key Information

The Greek Word: ἐπίκειμαι (epíkeimai) [eh-PEE-kay-my]
Etymology root words and their meanings: From ἐπί (epi, “upon”) and κεῖμαι (keimai, “to lie” or “to be placed”), meaning “to lie upon” or “to press upon.”
Part of Speech: Verb. This word follows typical Greek verb conjugation patterns.
The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

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To lie upon or to rest upon something.
To press upon, often implying physical pressure or a metaphorical burden.
To be imposed or placed upon, suggesting something being laid down with authority or urgency.

Similar Words: Related Greek words include κατακεῖμαι (katakeímai) [ka-ta-KEE-my], meaning “to lie down” or “to be laid up,” and ἐφίστημι (ephístēmi) [eh-FIS-tee-mee], meaning “to stand over” or “to be placed upon.” While κατακεῖμαι generally refers to lying down in a more literal sense, ἐπίκειμαι (epíkeimai) implies a sense of lying upon or pressing upon something with a sense of weight or imposition. ἐφίστημι has a similar connotation of something being imposed or overseen but with an emphasis on presence or authority rather than physical pressure.

Further Insights: The verb ἐπίκειμαι combines the preposition ἐπί (epi, “upon”) with κεῖμαι (keimai, “to lie” or “to be placed”). This combination suggests a more active or forceful lying upon or imposition, often implying pressure, urgency, or a heavy burden. In Biblical contexts, ἐπίκειμαι can refer to literal physical pressure, such as a stone lying upon something, or metaphorically to a sense of urgency or burden, such as the weight of responsibility or command.
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Lexicon Insights

BDAG: Describes ἐπίκειμαι as “to lie upon” or “to press upon,” used in both literal and figurative contexts. It often conveys the sense of an imposition or burden, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.
Thayers: Defines ἐπίκειμαι as “to lie upon” or “to press heavily,” highlighting its use in passages where something is laid upon or imposes pressure, such as a stone or command.
Vines: Highlights that ἐπίκειμαι implies “to be placed upon” or “to be imposed,” frequently used to describe the weight of a burden, duty, or urgency that presses upon someone or something.
LSJ: In classical Greek literature, ἐπίκειμαι is noted to mean “to lie upon” or “to rest upon,” used in various contexts where physical or metaphorical pressure is exerted. It can refer to objects resting upon one another or the imposition of laws, orders, or moral obligations.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Describes it as “to lie upon” or “to press,” emphasizing its use in contexts of pressure, burden, or authority being placed upon something or someone.

Related Scripture References

John 11:38: “Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay (ἐπέκειτο) upon it.”
Acts 27:20: “Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.” (Here, ἐπίκειμαι is implied as the tempest ‘pressing upon’ the sailors.)
1 Corinthians 9:16: “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid (ἐπίκειταί) upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”

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Classical Usage

Author	Name of Work	English Text
Homer	Iliad	“A great rock lay (ἐπέκειτο) upon the shore, unmoving against the crashing waves.”
Plato	Republic	“The laws must lie (ἐπίκεινται) upon all citizens equally, without partiality.”
Thucydides	History of the Peloponnesian War	“The burden of war lay (ἐπίκειτο) heavily upon the city-state, pressing them to surrender.”
Septuagint	Genesis	“And a great fear lay (ἐπέκειτο) upon the people when they saw the armies approaching.”
Septuagint	Joshua	“The stone that lay (ἐπίκειτο) over the mouth of the cave was rolled away by the soldiers.”
Septuagint	Isaiah	“The hand of the Lord lay (ἐπίκειτο) heavy upon them for their disobedience.”

Summary of ἐπίκειμαι (G1945)

The Greek word ἐπίκειμαι (epíkeimai) is a verb that means “to lie upon,” “to press upon,” or “to be imposed upon.” It holds significant importance in both Biblical and classical Greek literature, where it describes the action or state of something pressing upon, whether in a literal, physical sense or a metaphorical, figurative sense of burden, duty, or urgency. In the New Testament, it is often used to describe the weight of necessity, such as the pressing need to preach the gospel or the physical burden of a stone upon a tomb. Its use in classical texts reflects its broader application in discussions about pressure, burden, and the imposition of laws, commands, or forces.

Did You Know?

In ancient Greek literature and culture, the concept of something “lying upon” (ἐπίκειμαι) often carried significant symbolic meanings. For example, the laying of stones upon a tomb or the imposition of laws upon a people were not just physical acts but represented deeper metaphors of burden, permanence, and authority. In the New Testament, the word ἐπίκειμαι captures this sense of weight and urgency, as seen when the Apostle Paul describes the necessity laid upon him to preach the gospel, reflecting both divine command and a personal sense of obligation.