Brief Overview of ἐπί (Strong’s G1909: epi)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words is essential in Biblical studies because it helps unlock the full meaning and context of the original texts. The Greek word ἐπί (transliterated as “epi”) is particularly significant due to its versatility and frequent use as a preposition in the New Testament. It often conveys ideas of position, location, or purpose, which are crucial for interpreting many biblical passages. Understanding ἐπί enhances comprehension of not only the New Testament but also the broader cultural and linguistic landscape of ancient Greek texts.

Key Information

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• Greek Word: ἐπί (epi) [eh-PEE]
• Etymology Root Words and Meanings:
• The word ἐπί is a primary preposition in Greek. It does not derive from other words but serves as a fundamental building block of the language, indicating “upon,” “on,” “at,” “by,” or “near.”
• Part of Speech: Preposition
• Grammatical Details: As a preposition, ἐπί governs the genitive, dative, and accusative cases, altering its meaning slightly depending on the case it governs:
• Genitive: “Upon,” “on,” “over” (position)
• Dative: “At,” “in,” “on” (location or position)
• Accusative: “To,” “against,” “towards” (motion or direction)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• “Upon”
• “On”
• “At”
• “By”
• “Near”
• “To”
• “Against”
• “Over”

Similar Words:
The Greek word ἐν (en) [en] also serves as a preposition meaning “in” or “within,” which is somewhat similar to ἐπί when it governs the dative case. However, while ἐν focuses more on being “inside” or “within” a location, ἐπί emphasizes being “upon” or “at” a point, often suggesting a more specific or elevated position. Another related word is ἐπάνω (epánō) [eh-PAH-noh], which also means “above” or “over,” but ἐπί can indicate a broader range of positions or directions depending on its usage.

Further Insights:
As a versatile preposition, ἐπί interacts with different cases (genitive, dative, and accusative), which allows it to convey a wide range of meanings related to location, position, and direction. Its flexibility makes it an essential element in the Greek language for describing relationships between objects, people, and concepts. Mastering the nuances of ἐπί is crucial for accurately interpreting Greek texts, especially those in the New Testament, where prepositions often carry significant theological implications.
Click here for a beginner’s guide to reading Greek.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG:
The BDAG lexicon defines ἐπί as a preposition with a broad range of meanings depending on the case it governs. With the genitive, it typically means “on” or “upon”; with the dative, it can mean “on,” “at,” or “in the presence of”; and with the accusative, it often means “towards,” “against,” or “in respect to.”

Thayers:
Thayer’s lexicon describes ἐπί as “upon,” “on,” or “at” in the genitive, “at” or “by” in the dative, and “against” or “towards” in the accusative. It emphasizes the preposition’s flexibility and its importance in conveying subtle nuances in Greek phrases and sentences.

Vines:
Vines Expository Dictionary categorizes ἐπί under prepositions and highlights its use in a variety of contexts, from literal to metaphorical. It notes that the preposition’s meaning changes significantly depending on the grammatical case it accompanies, which affects its translation in English.

LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) lexicon provides a detailed analysis of ἐπί as a preposition, noting its use across different literary genres in classical Greek. It highlights its basic meaning of “on” or “upon” and lists numerous examples from classical texts where it governs different cases to convey various relationships.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance lists ἐπί as a preposition meaning “on,” “upon,” or “at,” emphasizing its role in indicating position or direction. It points out the various nuances depending on its use with the genitive, dative, or accusative cases, making it a key word in both common Greek usage and theological contexts.

Related Scripture References

• Matthew 5:14: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on (ἐπί) a hill cannot be hid.”
• Acts 2:3: “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon (ἐπί) each of them.”
• John 19:19: “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on (ἐπί) the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
• Romans 10:9: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Used with “believe on” (ἐπί) the Lord)
• Mark 6:39: “And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon (ἐπί) the green grass.”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἐπί (G1909)

The Greek preposition ἐπί (epi) is a fundamental term in both Biblical and classical Greek literature, encompassing a range of meanings from “on,” “upon,” and “at” to “towards,” “against,” and “in respect to.” Its flexibility allows it to convey various spatial, relational, and metaphorical nuances, depending on the grammatical case it governs (genitive, dative, or accusative). In the New Testament, ἐπί is frequently used to describe physical locations, divine actions, or relationships, making it a key term for understanding biblical texts’ theological and practical implications. Understanding ἐπί offers readers valuable insights into how ancient Greek language constructs meaning through prepositions.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the Greek preposition ἐπί is one of the most frequently used prepositions in the New Testament? Its versatility allows it to adapt to different grammatical cases, providing a wide range of meanings from “on” or “upon” to “against” or “towards.” This flexibility makes it a cornerstone in Greek grammar and essential for accurate biblical interpretation.