← G1918 G1920 →

ἐπίγειος

epígeios

G1919 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Pertaining to, belonging to, or located on the earth; of or relating to the physical earth in contrast to heaven or things above. In various contexts, it denotes earthly (as opposed to heavenly) location, nature, or orientation, whether in a neutral, physical, or negative, moral sense. Can refer to things characterized by their association with the material, terrestrial realm.

Semantic Range

pertaining to earth (terrestrial), located on or limited to earth, physical (not spiritual or heavenly), belonging to the earthly realm, material (as opposed to spiritual), mundane, earthly in character (sometimes with pejorative nuance)

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἐπί (upon, on) and the noun γῆ (earth, land). The word is formed as an adjective meaning 'belonging to or located on the earth.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ἐπίγειος refers straightforwardly to 'on the earth,' e.g., terrestrial features or animals (contrasted with aquatic or heavenly). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, it often functions in contrast to ἐπουράνιος (heavenly), highlighting the division between human/material and divine/heavenly spheres. At times it connotes moral neutrality (simply describing location) or inferiority (as in James 3:15, where ἐπίγειος qualifies 'wisdom' as 'earthly' in contrast to wisdom from above, sometimes implying corruptibility or transience). English Bibles often translate as 'earthly' or 'terrestrial,' but these do not always carry the full force of the contrast with 'heavenly' in the Greek conceptual world.

Translation Consistency

primary "earthly" 7 occurrences

Matches the SILEX range (pertaining to or located on the earth, material/terrestrial, as opposed to heavenly). It is the most natural, commonly used English adjective for this lemma, aligns with the majority of existing renderings, and works consistently for both adjectival and substantive uses (neutral or pejorative contexts).

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπί and γῆ; worldly (physically or morally):--earthly, in earth, terrestrial.

Root Family

ἐπίγειος (epigeios) — earthly, terrestrial, belonging to the earth, material

Root γῆ, ἐπί- earth, land, ground, upon, on

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1919-01 ἐπίγεια epigeia ADJ.S ACC N PL earthly earthly things earthly things 3
G1919-03 ἐπίγειος epigeios ADJ.S NOM F SG earthly earthly earthly 2
G1919-02 ἐπιγείων epigeion ADJ.S GEN N PL earthly of earthly things of earthly things 2

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1919-01 John 3:12 ἐπίγεια epigeia ADJ.S ACC N PL earthly earthly things earthly things
G1919-01 1 Corinthians 15:40 ἐπίγεια epigeia ADJ.A NOM N PL earthly earthly things earthly things
G1919-02 1 Corinthians 15:40 ἐπιγείων epigeion ADJ.S GEN N PL earthly of earthly things of earthly things
G1919-03 2 Corinthians 5:1 ἐπίγειος epigeios ADJ.S NOM F SG earthly earthly earthly
G1919-02 Philippians 2:10 ἐπιγείων epigeion ADJ.S GEN M PL of those on earth of earthly things of earthly things
G1919-01 Philippians 3:19 ἐπίγεια epigeia ADJ.S ACC N PL earthly earthly things earthly things
G1919-03 James 3:15 ἐπίγειος epigeios ADJ.S NOM F SG earthly earthly earthly
← G1918 Greek Lexicon G1920 →