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ἐπεί

epeí

G1893 subordinating conjunction

SILEX Entry

Definition

A conjunction primarily expressing causal or conditional relationship: 'since,' 'because,' 'for the reason that.' In discourse, ἐπεί is used to introduce clauses which provide an explanation for, reason for, or grounds of the main clause. The word can also convey logical or temporal sequence, often marking the reason something occurs or the context under which a main statement holds true.

Semantic Range

since, because, for that (reason), as, seeing that, otherwise, inasmuch as, when (with sense of 'after that'), thereupon

Root / Etymology

Compound of ἐπί (on, upon, over) and εἰ (if), forming a conjunction that originally carried conditional or sequential nuance, later developing primarily causal force. Related to the causal use of εἰ and ὅτι, but with distinct nuance and syntactic role.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐπεί primarily indicated temporal sequence: 'after' or 'when (after something had happened).' By the Hellenistic era and in Koine Greek, especially in the New Testament and Septuagint, its usage shifts more toward causal explanations—'since,' 'because,' particularly in rhetorical or formal argumentation and narrative. Ἐπεί often marks the justification or background for a statement, distinct from ὅτι ('that,' marking reported speech or direct cause) and γάρ (which adds explanations or reasons often parenthetically). English translations often mask differences between ἐπεί, ἐπειδή, and ὅτι ('because' or 'since') due to semantic overlap, but in original context, ἐπεί tends to introduce a subordinate clause within a logical or rhetorical argument. Its frequency decreases in later Greek, with ἐπειδή sometimes supplanting it in expressing more explicit causal force. In legal or formal texts, ἐπεί may lend a nuanced, polite justification. Notably, it rarely appears as a simple time marker in the NT, underlining its shift from temporal to primarily causal or explanatory function.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπί and εἰ; thereupon, i.e. since (of time or cause):--because, else, for that (then, -asmuch as), otherwise, seeing that, since, when.

Root Family

ἐπεί (epei) — upon, if; since, because

Root ἐπ-, εἰ upon, if

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1893-01 ἐπεὶ epei CONJ.S since since since 26

Occurrences in Scripture

26 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1893-01 Matthew 18:32 ἐπεὶ epei CONJ.S because since since
G1893-01 Matthew 21:46 ἐπεὶ epei CONJ.S because since since
G1893-01 Matthew 27:6 ἐπεὶ epei CONJ.S since since since
G1893-01 Mark 15:42 ἐπεὶ epei CONJ.S since since since
G1893-01 Luke 1:34 ἐπεὶ epei CONJ.S since since since
G1893-01 John 13:29 ἐπεὶ epei CONJ.S because since since
G1893-01 John 19:31 ἐπεὶ epei CONJ.S since since since
G1893-01 Romans 3:6 ἐπεὶ epei CONJ.S for since since
G1893-01 Romans 11:6 ἐπεὶ epei CONJ.S otherwise since since
G1893-01 Romans 11:22 ἐπεὶ epei CONJ.S otherwise since otherwise
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