ἐπιγίνομαι
epigínomai
G1920 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To come upon, to arise, to approach or appear suddenly; in particular contexts, to spring up or develop rapidly, such as of wind, events, or persons. The verb can indicate the advent or arrival of something unexpected, the emergence or manifestation of a phenomenon, or the approach of a person or event.
Semantic Range
to come upon, to arise suddenly, to approach, to spring up (of natural forces), to arrive unexpectedly, to emerge, to appear
Root / Etymology
Formed from the preposition ἐπί (upon, over) and the verb γίνομαι (to become, happen, come into being). The sense develops from the idea of 'becoming upon' or 'occurring over/unto' someone or something.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested mainly in later Greek, particularly in Koine contexts. In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 8:23), ἐπιγίνομαι is used for the sudden arising of a strong wind upon a lake, carrying the sense of unexpected or forceful onset. The verb is rare in the broader Greek corpus but parallels other compound forms of γίνομαι that intensify the action or focus on directionality (such as ἀναγίνομαι, παραγίνομαι). In the Septuagint and contemporary literature, similar compounds signify the arrival or approach of persons, events, or states; context determines whether the sense is neutral, hostile, or extraordinary. English translations often render it simply as 'arose,' 'came,' or 'blew' (of wind), but the compound form highlights suddenness and directedness, which is sometimes obscured in translation. Cognate verbs may carry more frequent lexical loads in earlier periods; this compound’s specific nuance is more idiomatic to late Hellenistic and Koine usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί and γίνομαι; to arrive upon, i.e. spring up (as a wind):--blow.
Root Family
ἐπιγίνομαι (epiginomai) — to become, to arise, to come upon, to happen
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1920-01 |
ἐπιγενομένου | epigenomenou | V AOR MID PTCP GEN M SG |
having sprung up | having come upon | having come upon | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1920-01 |
Acts 28:13 | ἐπιγενομένου | epigenomenou | V AOR MID PTCP GEN M SG |
having sprung up | having come upon | having come upon |