Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is essential for interpreting the New Testament and grasping the broader context of ancient Greek culture. The word ἐπιτίθημι (Strong’s G2007: epitíthēmi) is particularly significant as it means “to place upon,” “to lay on,” or “to impose.” This verb is crucial in passages that describe actions such as laying hands for healing, imposing burdens, or setting plans in motion, reflecting both physical and metaphorical uses in ancient texts.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: ἐπιτίθημι (epitíthēmi) [eh-pee-TEE-thay-mee]
• Etymology: Derived from the prefix ἐπί (epi), meaning “upon” or “over,” and the verb τίθημι (títhēmi), meaning “to place” or “to put.” Together, they convey the idea of “placing upon” or “laying on.”
• Part of Speech: Verb; active voice.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• To place upon or to lay on.
• To impose or to set (a task, burden, or command).
• To add or to apply (as in placing a hand for healing).

Similar Words: τίθημι (títhēmi) [TEE-thay-mee] also means “to place” or “to put,” but it generally refers to placing something in a broader sense. In contrast, epitíthēmi is more specific, involving placing something “upon” or “over” something else, often implying a purpose or directive.

Further Insights: The verb ἐπιτίθημι is a compound verb that combines the base verb for placing with a preposition that suggests direction or location. It is frequently used in both the New Testament and classical Greek literature to describe a variety of actions where something is set, imposed, or applied to something else. Its forms follow regular conjugation patterns for compound verbs.

Click here for a beginner’s guide to reading Greek: Understanding Greek Grammar: A Beginner’s Guide.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG:
ἐπιτίθημι is defined as “to place upon” or “to lay on,” especially in contexts involving physical or metaphorical application, such as laying hands for healing or imposing a command.

Thayer’s Lexicon:
Describes epitíthēmi as “to lay upon,” “to put upon,” or “to add.” It emphasizes the action of placing or imposing, whether it be hands for healing, a burden, or a responsibility.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:
Notes that epitíthēmi conveys the idea of placing upon or applying. It is often used in contexts involving imposition, such as placing hands for blessing or healing or setting commands or burdens upon others.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones):
Highlights that epitíthēmi can mean “to place upon” or “to impose,” particularly in classical Greek texts where it denotes the action of placing something on or over another, whether physically or metaphorically.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Defines epitíthēmi as “to lay on” or “to impose,” focusing on its usage in the New Testament to describe acts such as laying hands, imposing burdens, or setting directives.

Related Scripture References

• Matthew 9:18: “While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay [ἐπίθες (epíthes)] thy hand upon her, and she shall live.”
• Acts 8:17: “Then laid they [ἐπέθηκαν (epéthēkan)] their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”
• Revelation 22:18: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add [ἐπιθῇ (epithē)] unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἐπιτίθημι (G2007: epitíthēmi)

The Greek word ἐπιτίθημι (epitíthēmi), meaning “to place upon,” “to lay on,” or “to impose,” is a verb that captures the concept of placing something on or over another, whether literally or figuratively. In the New Testament, it is used to describe actions such as laying hands for healing, imposing burdens or commands, and adding to teachings, as seen in passages like Matthew 9:18 and Revelation 22:18. The word also appears in classical Greek literature and the Septuagint, where it is employed to describe various acts of placing, setting, or imposing. Understanding epitíthēmi provides valuable insights into the ancient Greek and Biblical concepts of application, imposition, and directive actions.

Did You Know?

Did you know that ἐπιτίθημι combines a Greek prefix meaning “upon” or “over” with the base verb for “to place,” creating a word that vividly conveys the idea of setting something upon another? This word is often used in both sacred and secular contexts to describe actions that require authority, intention, or care, such as laying hands for healing or imposing laws and commands.