Brief Overview of ἐπισκέπτομαι (Strong’s G1980: episkeptomai)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words like ἐπισκέπτομαι (episkeptomai) is vital for Biblical studies, as it offers profound insights into the cultural and spiritual contexts of the New Testament. This verb, which generally means “to visit” or “to look after,” holds particular significance when exploring themes of care, compassion, and divine oversight in both human and divine actions. The use of this word in the New Testament reflects not only physical visitation but also conveys a deeper sense of attention, care, and inspection, aligning with ancient Greek cultural values around hospitality and duty.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: ἐπισκέπτομαι (episkeptomai) [eh-pee-SKEP-toh-my]
• Etymology root words and their meanings: Derived from ἐπί (epi, “upon”) and σκέπτομαι (skeptomai, “to look” or “to examine”).
• Part of Speech: Verb (Middle Voice); typically used to describe the act of visiting, overseeing, or caring for someone or something.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• To visit or go to see
• To look upon, inspect, or examine
• To care for or attend to someone’s needs

Similar Words: ἐπισκοπέω (episkopeo) [eh-pee-sko-PEH-oh], meaning “to oversee” or “to inspect.” While ἐπισκέπτομαι focuses more on the act of visiting or caring with a personal and attentive touch, ἐπισκοπέω has a stronger connotation of oversight and authority, often used in the context of a bishop’s duties or leadership.

Further Insights: ἐπισκέπτομαι is a verb in the middle voice, emphasizing the subject’s involvement in the action of visiting or caring. It follows the middle/passive verb conjugation pattern in Greek. Below is a conjugation table for ἐπισκέπτομαι in the present tense:

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Lexicon Insights

• BDAG: Notes that ἐπισκέπτομαι is primarily used in the New Testament to denote visiting with a purpose, such as visiting the sick or imprisoned, highlighting care and concern. It carries the implication of a deeper, more compassionate form of visitation than merely checking in.
• Thayers: Defines ἐπισκέπτομαι as “to look upon” or “to visit,” especially with the intent of providing relief or meeting needs. It emphasizes the concept of supervision or guardianship, often with a compassionate or caring angle.
• Vines: Points out that ἐπισκέπτομαι means “to oversee or visit,” particularly in contexts that require personal involvement or concern. It frequently appears in discussions of God’s care or divine visitation.
• LSJ: Describes ἐπισκέπτομαι as “to go and see” or “to inspect,” with usage ranging from a neutral sense of checking on someone to a more active sense of care and supervision. It can apply to both human and divine actions of visiting and caring.
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Defines ἐπισκέπτομαι as “to inspect” or “to visit.” It emphasizes the action of looking after someone, especially in times of need or distress, whether by human or divine agency.

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Related Scripture References

• Matthew 25:36 – “I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited (ἐπεσκέψασθε) me, I was in prison and you came to me.”
• Luke 1:68 – “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited (ἐπεσκέψατο) and redeemed his people.”
• James 1:27 – “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit (ἐπισκέπτεσθαι) orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἐπισκέπτομαι (G1980)

The Greek verb ἐπισκέπτομαι (episkeptomai) carries the rich meaning of visiting, overseeing, or caring for someone with intentionality and compassion. It is frequently used in the New Testament to depict both human and divine actions of care and supervision, underlining the themes of divine visitation and the call to believers to care for one another. The term also resonates with ancient Greek cultural values of hospitality, care, and responsible oversight, illustrating its broader usage in both biblical and classical literature.

Did You Know?

The concept of ἐπισκέπτομαι goes beyond mere visiting; in many instances, it reflects a deep concern and compassion, whether from God or a human caregiver. In ancient Greek society, to “visit” someone was often to take responsibility for their well-being, akin to acting as a guardian or benefactor. This aligns with the biblical call to “visit” orphans and widows, emphasizing active involvement and care.