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ἐπί

epí

G1909 preposition

SILEX Entry

Root ἐπ- on, upon, over, toward

Definition

A primary preposition denoting the position of being on, upon, or over, both in physical and abstract senses. Its specific nuance depends on the case of its object: (1) with genitive, indicating rest or position upon or over a surface, supervisory relationship, or concern over; (2) with dative, marking location at, on, or in proximity to something, sometimes expressing basis or ground; (3) with accusative, signifying movement toward, onto, against, or up to a place or object. Also used in extended senses to convey responsibility, authority, occasion, cause, temporal relation, or focus upon a topic.

Semantic Range

on, upon, over, above, at, near, in the presence of, on the basis of, for, concerning, about, against, onto, toward, up to, during, at the time of, after, by the authority of, with regard to, over (in authority), because of, for the sake of

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root ἐπ-/ἐπι-, a productive prepositional base signifying 'on' or 'upon.' Cognate with related prepositions in other Indo-European languages (e.g., Latin 'super', 'epi' in English compounds).

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἐπί is an exceedingly common preposition in classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek, with broad application across physical, metaphorical, and idiomatic uses. Its meaning is determined chiefly by the case of its complement: with the genitive, it conveys position 'upon' or 'over' (possibly implying dominion or topic); with the dative, emphasis shifts to location (at, on) or basis/ground; with the accusative, it highlights direction, target, or extension 'onto' or 'against'. In Hellenistic and New Testament Greek, ἐπί also marks purpose (e.g., 'for'), reference ('concerning'), or temporal position ('at the time of'). In the Septuagint and the New Testament, ἐπί often translates Hebrew עַל (‘al), which can similarly signify 'on', 'over', 'against', or 'concerning'. Standard English translations must often choose among several renderings depending on case and context, and may not capture the full range of its spatial, topical, and abstract applications. ἐπί is also highly productive as a preverb in compounds (e.g., ἐπιγινώσκω), generally conveying superimposition, addition, or intensification. Its usage remained consistent from classical to Koine periods, though certain metaphoric and topical senses grew more prominent in later texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).

Root Family

ἐπί (epí) — on, upon, over, toward

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G1909-03 ἐπὶ epi PREP GEN on upon, over 661
G1909-01 ἐπ’ ep PREP ACC on onto 146
G1909-02 ἐφ’ eph PREP ACC upon onto 80

Occurrences in Scripture

887 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G1909-03 Matthew 1:11 ἐπὶ epi PREP GEN at upon, over
G1909-03 Matthew 3:7 ἐπὶ epi PREP ACC to upon, over
G1909-03 Matthew 3:13 ἐπὶ epi PREP ACC upon, over
G1909-01 Matthew 3:16 ἐπ’ ep PREP ACC onto
G1909-01 Matthew 4:4 ἐπ’ ep PREP DAT onto
G1909-03 Matthew 4:4 ἐπὶ epi PREP DAT upon, over
G1909-03 Matthew 4:5 ἐπὶ epi PREP ACC upon, over
G1909-03 Matthew 4:6 ἐπὶ epi PREP GEN upon, over
G1909-03 Matthew 5:15 ἐπὶ epi PREP ACC upon, over
G1909-03 Matthew 5:23 ἐπὶ epi PREP ACC upon, over
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