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ἐνώπιον

enṓpion

G1799 preposition

SILEX Entry

Root ὀπτ- to see, to appear

Definition

In the presence of, before (i.e., in front of, in the sight of). Denotes spatial, relational, or official standing relative to a person, group, or entity. Used both in literal contexts (standing physically in front of someone or something) and in extended senses (within the sphere of someone's authority or observation, or in their honor or judgment). It also expresses being within the awareness or concern of someone (frequently of deity or a figure of authority).

Semantic Range

in the presence of, before (spatially), before (in authority), in the sight of, in the eyes of, in honor of, within the jurisdiction of

Root / Etymology

Formed from ἐν ('in') + a derivative of ὀπτός/ὀπτάνομαι ('to see, to appear'). The construction originally functions as a prepositional phrase meaning 'in the face/eyes of.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In earlier Greek, the concept of being before or in front of someone (esp. before gods or rulers) is often expressed with other prepositional phrases, but ἐνώπιον develops into a standard compound preposition/adverb in Hellenistic Greek, especially in the Septuagint and the New Testament, to render Hebrew לִפְנֵי (lifne, 'before, in the presence of'). Its use carries connotations of appearing before a figure of authority, whether in worship, judgment, or relational proximity. In the New Testament and LXX, it occurs frequently in contexts referring to presence before God, rulers, or the public. Standard English translations such as 'before' or 'in the presence of' sometimes render ἐνώπιον, but these may miss the nuanced sense of appearing within the awareness or jurisdiction of the person referenced. Not used for metaphorical 'before' with respect to time (which is typically πρὸ or πρότερον).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of a compound of ἐν and a derivative of ὀπτάνομαι; in the face of (literally or figuratively):--before, in the presence (sight) of, to.

Root Family

ἐνώπιον (enōpion) — in the sight of, in the presence of, before, within view

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G1799-01 ἐνώπιον enopion PREP GEN before in the sight of 94

Occurrences in Scripture

94 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G1799-01 Luke 1:15 ἐνώπιον enopion PREP GEN in the sight of in the sight of
G1799-01 Luke 1:17 ἐνώπιον enopion PREP GEN before in the sight of
G1799-01 Luke 1:19 ἐνώπιον enopion PREP GEN in the presence of in the sight of
G1799-01 Luke 1:75 ἐνώπιον enopion PREP GEN before in the sight of
G1799-01 Luke 1:76 ἐνώπιον enopion PREP GEN before in the sight of
G1799-01 Luke 4:7 ἐνώπιον enopion PREP GEN before in the sight of
G1799-01 Luke 5:18 ἐνώπιον enopion PREP GEN before in the sight of
G1799-01 Luke 5:25 ἐνώπιον enopion PREP GEN before in the sight of
G1799-01 Luke 8:47 ἐνώπιον enopion PREP GEN before in the sight of
G1799-01 Luke 12:6 ἐνώπιον enopion PREP GEN before in the sight of
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