Brief Overview of ἐπανέρχομαι (Strong’s G1880: epanerchomai)

Introduction

In Biblical studies, understanding Greek words is essential to grasp the depth and meaning of the original texts. The word ἐπανέρχομαι (epanerchomai) is particularly significant as it conveys the idea of returning or coming back to a previous state or place. It is a verb that appears in contexts where there is a return to a prior situation, location, or condition, making it relevant in both theological discussions and cultural understandings of movement, journey, and restoration in ancient Greek texts.

Key Information

The Greek Word: ἐπανέρχομαι, transliterated as epanerchomai [ep-an-ER-kho-my].
Etymology: Derived from ἐπί (epi, meaning “upon” or “back”) and ἔρχομαι (erchomai, meaning “to come” or “to go”).
Part of Speech: Verb; middle voice, indicative mood.
The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

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To return or come back.
To revert to a former state or place.
To return to a discussion or point previously mentioned.

Similar Words: ἐπιστρέφω (epistrephō) [ep-ee-STREF-o], which means “to turn back” or “to return.” While ἐπιστρέφω emphasizes turning back or reversing direction, ἐπανέρχομαι focuses on the act of coming back or re-entering a place or state.

Further Insights: ἐπανέρχομαι is a compound verb formed from the preposition ἐπί (“upon” or “back”) and the verb ἔρχομαι (“to come” or “to go”). This combination gives the sense of coming back to a previous point or condition. The verb is commonly used in the middle voice, which in Greek often conveys a sense of the subject acting upon or for itself, suggesting a voluntary return or coming back.

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek to learn more about Greek verbs and their conjugation patterns.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG: Describes ἐπανέρχομαι as “to return” or “to come back,” particularly in contexts where someone returns to a previous state, place, or discussion point. It often appears in metaphorical senses to denote a return to a previous spiritual or mental state.

Thayers: Defines ἐπανέρχομαι as “to return” or “to revert,” used both literally (e.g., returning to a location) and figuratively (e.g., returning to a previous state of mind or heart).

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Vines: Focuses on the verb’s use in contexts that imply a physical or metaphorical return. It points out that ἐπανέρχομαι often carries the sense of resuming a former position or condition.

LSJ: Lists ἐπανέρχομαι as “to return” or “to come back,” noting its usage in various texts where a return to a previous state or place is emphasized, whether physically or metaphorically.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Identifies ἐπανέρχομαι as a verb meaning “to come back” or “to return,” formed from ἐπί and ἔρχομαι, emphasizing the act of re-entering a place, condition, or situation.

Related Scripture References

Luke 19:12: “He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return [ἐπανέλθῃ].”
Acts 15:16: “After this I will return [ἐπανέλθω] and will rebuild the tabernacle of David that has fallen.”

Classical Usage

Author	Name of Work	English Text with Greek Word in Parentheses
Homer	Odyssey	“And when he had wandered long, he finally returned (ἐπανέρχομαι) to his homeland.”
Herodotus	Histories	“They decided to return (ἐπανέρχεσθαι) to their city after the battle.”
Xenophon	Anabasis	“The soldiers wished to return (ἐπανέρχομαι) to Greece.”
Septuagint Example	2 Kings	“I will return (ἐπανέλθω) to the city and see its peace.”
Septuagint Example	Isaiah	“The Lord will return (ἐπανέλθῃ) and show mercy.”
Septuagint Example	Jeremiah	“Let us return (ἐπανέλθωμεν) to the Lord.”

Summary of ἐπανέρχομαι (G1880: epanerchomai)

The Greek verb ἐπανέρχομαι (epanerchomai) means “to return” or “to come back” and is often used to indicate a return to a previous state, place, or discussion point. This term is significant in the New Testament and other ancient Greek writings, as it reflects the concepts of restoration, renewal, and return, both in a physical sense (e.g., returning to a location) and a metaphorical sense (e.g., returning to a former way of thinking or living). It provides rich insight into ancient Greek perspectives on movement, journey, and the importance of returning to what once was.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the verb ἐπανέρχομαι was often used by Greek philosophers to describe the process of returning to a state of knowledge or truth? In Stoic philosophy, it was common to speak of “returning” to reason or wisdom after straying from it, reflecting the human journey towards self-awareness and enlightenment.