ἐπάν
epán
G1875 subordinating conjunction
SILEX Entry
Definition
A particle or conjunction indicating indefinite time, meaning 'whenever' or 'as soon as', introducing a temporal clause referring to repeating or indefinable occurrences. Used to mark a condition of time that is not fixed, but whenever a particular situation happens.
Semantic Range
whenever, as soon as, when (indefinitely or repeatedly), at whatever time, every time that
Root / Etymology
Formed from ἐπί ('upon, on, when') and the particle ἄν, which marks indefiniteness or contingency. The combination yields an indefinite temporal conjunction.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐπάν does not appear; it emerges in later Greek, including Hellenistic and Koine. In the Greek of the Septuagint and New Testament, it introduces temporal clauses whose fulfillment is uncertain or open-ended, often partnered with the subjunctive mood. It is functionally equivalent to ὅταν but somewhat less common. English translations often use 'whenever' or 'when', but standard translations do not always capture the modal or open-ended nuance which ἄν imparts. In Koine usage, it is particularly used with verbs in the subjunctive, indicating repeated actions or contingencies. Rare outside biblical and similar texts; it does not occur in classical Attic Greek.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί and ἄν; a particle of indefinite contemporaneousness; whenever, as soon as:--when.
Root Family
ἐπ-, ἀν (epán) — upon, indefiniteness (modal)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1875-01 |
ἐπὰν | epan | CONJ.S |
when | whenever | whenever | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1875-01 |
Matthew 2:8 | ἐπὰν | epan | CONJ.S |
when | whenever | whenever |
G1875-01 |
Luke 11:22 | ἐπὰν | epan | CONJ.S |
when | whenever | whenever |
G1875-01 |
Luke 11:34 | ἐπὰν | epan | CONJ.S |
when | whenever | whenever |