ἐπίβλημα
epíblēma
G1915 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A covering or patch, specifically a piece of material placed over or sewn onto something else (often clothing) to mend, reinforce, or cover a tear; in extended contexts, any applied covering or overlay. The term refers primarily to a fabric patch but can contextually denote any addition that is placed on a surface as a means of repair or as a supplement.
Semantic Range
patch (for mending clothes), piece of material applied as a cover, overlay, addition placed on a surface
Root / Etymology
From the verb ἐπιβάλλω (to throw or put on, lay over), formed with the prefix ἐπί- (upon, over) and the verb βάλλω (to throw, place). The noun ἐπίβλημα thus denotes 'that which is thrown over or put upon.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Koine Greek texts, especially in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 9:16; Mark 2:21; Luke 5:36), ἐπίβλημα is used specifically for a patch of unshrunk (new) cloth sewn onto an old garment, often in the context of an illustration about incompatibility. In the Septuagint and classical Greek, the term appears rarely; its use is more idiomatic in the New Testament. Standard English translations typically render it as 'patch' or 'piece,' but the nuance of a deliberate, applied addition may be missed. The imagery serves to illustrate the problematic nature of combining new and old materials. The term is not limited by technical use to textiles and can theoretically refer to any overlay, though in biblical contexts it is almost always textile-related. Contrast with related terms like ἐπικαθίσματα (coverings) and ἱμάτιον (garment) which refer more generally to clothes or overlays rather than patches.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπιβάλλω; a patch:--piece.
Root Family
ἐπίβλημα (epiblema) — patch, covering, overlay, that which is laid upon
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1915-01 |
ἐπίβλημα | epiblema | N ACC N SG |
piece | a patch | 4 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1915-01 |
Matthew 9:16 | ἐπίβλημα | epiblema | N ACC N SG |
a patch | |
G1915-01 |
Mark 2:21 | ἐπίβλημα | epiblema | N ACC N SG |
patch | a patch |
G1915-01 |
Luke 5:36 | ἐπίβλημα | epiblema | N ACC N SG |
piece | a patch |
G1915-01 |
Luke 5:36 | ἐπίβλημα | epiblema-2 | N NOM N SG |
piece | a patch |