Introduction
Understanding Greek words is essential for gaining deeper insight into Biblical texts and their original meanings. The word ἐπιθυμητής (epithymētḗs), Strong’s G1938, is particularly significant because it describes a person who longs for or desires something strongly. This term is crucial for New Testament interpretation, especially when discussing human desires, temptations, and the ethical implications of coveting or desiring what is not one’s own. It also reflects ancient Greek culture, where the concept of desire and its regulation was a central theme in philosophy and ethics.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ἐπιθυμητής (epithymētḗs) [eh-pee-thoo-may-TAYS]
- Etymology Root Words: From ἐπιθυμέω (epithyméō, “to desire, long for”) and the agent suffix -τής (-tēs), which denotes someone who engages in a particular action, meaning “one who desires” or “a coveter.”
- Part of Speech: Noun, masculine. This word follows the first declension pattern in Greek grammar.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- One who desires or longs for something.
- A coveter, especially in a negative sense of craving what is forbidden.
- A person driven by strong passions or desires.
Similar Words: Related Greek words include ἐπιθυμία (epithymía) [eh-pee-thoo-MEE-ah], meaning “desire” or “lust,” and ζηλωτής (zēlōtḗs) [dzay-lo-TAYS], meaning “zealot” or “one who is fervent.” While ἐπιθυμία refers to the concept or feeling of desire itself, ἐπιθυμητής (epithymētḗs) refers to a person characterized by that desire, often with a focus on covetousness or inappropriate longing. ζηλωτής, on the other hand, implies passionate zeal, which can be positive or negative depending on the context.
Further Insights: The noun ἐπιθυμητής is derived from the verb ἐπιθυμέω (epithyméō), which means “to desire” or “to long for.” The suffix -τής (-tēs) is often used to create agent nouns, indicating a person who performs the action of the root verb. Thus, ἐπιθυμητής specifically characterizes someone as a “desirer” or “coveter,” emphasizing their role in actively seeking or craving something, often in an improper or excessive manner. In New Testament usage, it is commonly associated with warnings against inappropriate desires or covetousness.
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Lexicon Insights
- BDAG: Defines ἐπιθυμητής as “one who desires,” particularly in contexts where the desire is inappropriate or excessive. It highlights the moral implications of being characterized as someone who covets what is not rightfully theirs.
- Thayers: Notes that ἐπιθυμητής refers to “a coveter” or “one who lusts after,” often used in moral teachings where the emphasis is on avoiding covetousness and improper desires. It is a term that carries a negative connotation, especially in spiritual contexts.
- Vines: Highlights that ἐπιθυμητής implies “one who is desirous” or “a lustful person,” stressing the importance of controlling one’s desires to align with ethical and spiritual standards.
- LSJ: In classical Greek literature, ἐπιθυμητής is noted to mean “one who desires” or “a desirer,” with an emphasis on the strength or intensity of the longing. It appears in philosophical and ethical discussions where the control of desire is essential.
- Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Describes it as “one who covets” or “a desirous person,” typically implying a negative sense of longing for something forbidden or not morally appropriate.
Related Scripture References
- 1 Corinthians 10:6: “Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted (ἐπιθυμητάς).”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Plato | Republic | “A philosopher is not one who desires (ἐπιθυμητής) for material wealth but for wisdom.” |
| Aristotle | Nicomachean Ethics | “The unjust man is a coveter (ἐπιθυμητής) of what is not his own.” |
| Homer | Iliad | “The warrior was a desirer (ἐπιθυμητής) of glory and honor in battle.” |
| Septuagint | Proverbs | “The coveter (ἐπιθυμητής) of wealth falls into many snares.” |
| Septuagint | Ecclesiastes | “One who is a desirer (ἐπιθυμητής) of knowledge must be careful not to lose wisdom.” |
| Septuagint | Wisdom of Solomon | “The righteous man is not a coveter (ἐπιθυμητής) of what belongs to another.” |
Summary of ἐπιθυμητής (G1938)
The Greek word ἐπιθυμητής (epithymētḗs) is a noun meaning “one who desires,” “a coveter,” or “a person driven by strong passions.” It holds significant importance in both Biblical and classical Greek literature, where it describes someone characterized by intense longing or craving, often for something that is not rightfully theirs. In the New Testament, it is used to warn against inappropriate desires and covetousness, emphasizing the ethical need to control one’s passions. Its use in classical texts reflects its broader application in philosophical and ethical discussions, where managing desires was essential to virtuous living.
Did You Know?
In ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Aristotle, the concept of desire (ἐπιθυμία) and its personification (ἐπιθυμητής) was often examined in the context of moral character and virtue. Aristotle argued that to achieve eudaimonia (a flourishing life), one must regulate desires to avoid becoming an ἐπιθυμητής—one who covets excessively or inappropriately. This philosophical perspective on desire greatly influenced later Christian teachings on self-control and moderation.
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