ἐπιπνίγω
epipnígō
G1970
SILEX Entry
Definition
To press tightly against so as to suffocate, choke, or stifle; in figurative usage, to overwhelm or suppress, particularly in the context of something being crowded out or stifled by external pressure. Primarily refers to the physical act of choking or smothering, but is also used metaphorically to describe something (such as plants or concerns) being overwhelmed or rendered unfruitful by competing forces.
Semantic Range
to choke by pressing upon, to suffocate, to crowd out, to overwhelm or suppress (figuratively), to render unfruitful by external pressure or competing factors
Root / Etymology
From ἐπί (upon, on) and πνίγω (to choke, strangle, smother). The prefix ἐπί intensifies or localizes the act, suggesting force or pressure applied from above or in addition to something else.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term ἐπιπνίγω is rare in extant Greek literature and appears primarily in the Gospels (e.g., Matt 13:7, 22; Mark 4:7, 19; Luke 8:7, 33) in both literal and metaphorical senses. Literally, it describes the act of choking or suffocating (e.g., living creatures or plants). In Hellenistic and Koine contexts, it is used metaphorically to refer to overwhelming influences or cares that stifle growth, such as thorns in the parable of the sower crowding out plants, representing worries or external pressures suppressing the intended outcome. Unlike πνίγω by itself, which focuses on the act of choking or strangling, ἐπιπνίγω emphasizes the external or additional force crowding upon the object. Standard English translations like 'choke' or 'crowd out' do not always capture the nuance of external, overwhelming pressure implicit in the prefix ἐπί. The metaphorical extension is characteristic of Koine Greek usage, in both secular and biblical literature, though physical and agricultural imagery is prominent in the New Testament.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί and πνίγω; to throttle upon, i.e. (figuratively) overgrow:--choke.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.