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ἐπάγγελμα

epángelma

G1862 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ἐπαγγελ- to announce, to promise, to proclaim

Definition

Formal pledge, declaration of intent, or assurance to do or provide something (often of benefit). More broadly, a promise, undertaking, or guarantee given either by a person or a divine agent, with an emphasis on assurance and expected fulfillment. In some contexts, especially outside the New Testament, can refer to a profession, claim, or announcement.

Semantic Range

promise, assurance, pledge, guarantee, profession, claim, public declaration

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἐπαγγέλλω (epangéllō), meaning 'to announce, proclaim, promise'. ἐπάγγελμα is the noun form, denoting the thing announced or promised.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐπάγγελμα often denotes an undertaking, engagement, or public declaration, including professions or guarantees. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods (including the New Testament), the sense narrows to 'promise' or 'assurance,' often of something good to be conferred, especially in legal, moral, or divine contexts. In the New Testament, the term typically refers to divine promises made by God or, more rarely, human pledges. The English translation 'promise' accurately conveys the sense in most New Testament usages; however, the range in wider literature also includes claims or professions (such as in philosophical texts, referring to a professed expertise or claim to wisdom). Usage in the Septuagint is rare or absent; in later Greek, occasionally appears in legal and philosophical contexts as a technical term for a contractual or public commitment. The nuance of strong assurance or binding obligation stands at the core of the term's meaning throughout its attestations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπαγγέλλω; a self-committal (by assurance of conferring some good):--promise.

Root Family

ἐπάγγελμα (epángelma) — announcement, promise, pledge, assurance

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G1862-02 ἐπαγγέλματα epaggelmata N ACC N PL promises formal pledges 1
G1862-01 ἐπάγγελμα epaggelma N ACC N SG promise a formal pledge 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G1862-02 2 Peter 1:4 ἐπαγγέλματα epaggelmata N ACC N PL promises formal pledges
G1862-01 2 Peter 3:13 ἐπάγγελμα epaggelma N ACC N SG promise a formal pledge
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