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ἐπαναπαύομαι

epanapaúomai

G1879 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to rest upon, to settle onto someone or something as a place of rest or repose; metaphorically, to rely upon, find assurance in, or depend upon. The verb expresses both a literal sense—coming to rest physically on an object or person—and a figurative sense of placing trust or confidence in someone or something as a foundation.

Semantic Range

to physically rest upon, to find repose in, to rely upon, to depend upon, to be assured of, to place trust in

Root / Etymology

Formed from the preposition ἐπί (upon) and the verb ἀναπαύομαι (I rest, relax), yielding the meaning 'to rest upon.' The formation is middle voice, which often conveys reflexivity or a sense of benefit to the subject.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, ἐπαναπαύομαι is attested predominantly in later Greek, especially in Jewish-Greek and early Christian literature. In the New Testament (e.g., Romans 2:17), it is used in the sense of 'relying upon' something (e.g., the Law), drawing on the metaphor of resting upon a secure foundation. In classical sources, the word is infrequent to rare, with primary attestations in Koine contexts. The Septuagint uses it similarly, primarily to convey trust or assurance rather than mere physical rest. Standard English translations as 'rest upon' or 'rely on' capture the core metaphor, but may obscure the sense of dependence or trust that the middle voice and the prepositional prefix impart. Contrasts with ἀναπαύομαι (to rest or relax), which can denote simple cessation of activity, whereas ἐπαναπαύομαι focuses on the object or basis upon which one rests or relies.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

middle voice from ἐπί and ἀναπαύω; to settle on; literally (remain) or figuratively (rely):--rest in (upon).

Root Family

ἐπαναπαύομαι (epanapauomai) — to rest, to settle, to rely

Root ἐπαναπαυ- to rest, to settle, to rely

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1879-01 ἐπαναπαήσεται epanapaesetai V FUT MID IND 3P SG shall rest will rest upon will rest upon 1
G1879-02 ἐπαναπαύῃ epanapaue V PRS MID IND 2P SG rely you are resting upon you are resting upon 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1879-01 Luke 10:6 ἐπαναπαήσεται epanapaesetai V FUT MID IND 3P SG shall rest will rest upon will rest upon
G1879-02 Romans 2:17 ἐπαναπαύῃ epanapaue V PRS MID IND 2P SG rely you are resting upon you are resting upon
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