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ἐπιπίπτω

epipíptō

G1968 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to fall upon; primarily, to move or come down onto something or someone, either literally (a person or object physically falling onto another) or metaphorically (such as events, emotions, or powers coming upon someone). The sense includes both voluntary acts (falling on someone in embrace or affection) and involuntary or forceful actions (rushing at, attacking, or being overtaken by something). In figurative contexts, can denote the coming or descent of a spirit, power, or emotion.

Semantic Range

to fall upon physically, to rush or attack, to embrace with affection, to seize or overtake, to fall (metaphorically, as in the coming of a spirit or power), to overwhelm (of events, emotion, or calamity)

Root / Etymology

From ἐπί (upon, on) and πίπτω (to fall); formed by prefixation, with the preposition ἐπί intensifying or specifying the direction or recipient of the action.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐπιπίπτω is used for falling physically upon someone/something (e.g., attacking, seizing, embracing, or collapsing onto). In Koine Greek, especially in the New Testament and the Septuagint, the term expands to embrace metaphorical and spiritual uses. Notably, in LXX Genesis 33:4 and Acts 20:10, ἐπιπίπτω is used for an embrace, showing affection or strong emotional response. It can also describe the sudden or overwhelming descent of the Holy Spirit (as in Acts 10:44; 11:15) or events that overtake individuals (Luke 15:20—father falls upon his son). Standard English translations often employ 'fall upon,' 'embrace,' or 'come upon,' but may understate the word's emotional or forceful nuances. The term’s semantic field encompasses both violence and affection, depending on context. Contrasts with purely neutral or accidental terms for 'falling,' such as πίπτω alone. Compared to related verbs like προσπίπτω (to fall down before), ἐπιπίπτω often includes a sense of impact, urgency, or emotional intensity.

Translation Consistency

primary "fall" 12 occurrences

“Fall” covers the primary and most natural sense of ἐπιπίπτω — to come down onto or come upon someone or something, whether literally (physically falling on), forcefully (rushing/attacking), or metaphorically (a spirit, power, calamity coming upon or overwhelming). It matches the majority of existing renderings (e.g. “fell”) and is the simplest, most natural base verb to inflect consistently across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπί and πίπτω; to embrace (with affection) or seize (with more or less violence; literally or figuratively):--fall into (on, upon) lie on, press upon.

Root Family

ἐπιπίπτω (epipiptō) — to fall, to descend onto, to come upon

Root πιπτ- to fall, to descend onto, to come upon

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1968-03 ἐπέπεσεν epepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell fell upon fell upon 6
G1968-07 ἐπιπίπτειν epipiptein V PRS ACT INF they pressed upon to fall upon to fall upon 1
G1968-02 ἐπέπεσε epepese V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell fell upon fell upon 1
G1968-05 ἐπιπεσών epipeson V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG leaning back having fallen upon having fallen upon 1
G1968-06 ἐπιπεσόντες epipesontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL falling having fallen upon having fallen upon 1
G1968-01 ἐπέπεσαν epepesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL fell they fell upon fell upon 1
G1968-04 ἐπιπεπτωκός epipeptokos V PRF ACT PTCP NOM N SG fallen having fallen upon having fallen upon 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1968-07 Mark 3:10 ἐπιπίπτειν epipiptein V PRS ACT INF they pressed upon to fall upon to fall upon
G1968-03 Luke 1:12 ἐπέπεσεν epepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell fell upon fell upon
G1968-03 Luke 15:20 ἐπέπεσεν epepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell fell upon fell upon
G1968-05 John 13:25 ἐπιπεσών epipeson V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG leaning back having fallen upon having fallen upon
G1968-04 Acts 8:16 ἐπιπεπτωκός epipeptokos V PRF ACT PTCP NOM N SG fallen having fallen upon having fallen upon
G1968-02 Acts 10:44 ἐπέπεσε epepese V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell fell upon fell upon
G1968-03 Acts 11:15 ἐπέπεσεν epepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell fell upon fell upon
G1968-03 Acts 19:17 ἐπέπεσεν epepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell fell upon fell upon
G1968-03 Acts 20:10 ἐπέπεσεν epepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell on him fell upon fell upon
G1968-06 Acts 20:37 ἐπιπεσόντες epipesontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL falling having fallen upon having fallen upon
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