ἐπιῤῥάπτω
epirrháptō
G1976 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To sew on, to attach by stitching; specifically, to join or affix one item of fabric or material to another with thread (typically using a needle), emphasizing the action of fastening something onto an existing surface by sewing. May refer to the literal act of attaching clothing or patches, or metaphorically to the act of joining or adding something in a way that is clearly supplementary or secondary.
Semantic Range
to sew on (a patch), to fasten or attach by stitching, to add or affix by sewing, to join a supplementary piece to a garment or item
Root / Etymology
From the preposition ἐπί (upon, on) and ῥάπτω (to sew), itself from ῥαφίς (needle). The verb thus means 'to sew upon' or 'to stitch onto.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested chiefly in post-classical and Koine Greek with literal meaning. The word ἐπιῤῥάπτω appears rarely in extant Greek—most notably in Luke 5:36 (NT), where it describes sewing a patch onto a garment; in Septuagint or classical Greek, this compound is uncommon, and simple ῥάπτω is more usual for general 'to sew'. The compound ἐπιῤῥάπτω emphasizes the act of additional attachment—placing and sewing something upon an existing item—rather than the act of basic sewing or construction. English translations often render it 'sew on' or 'patch,' but the Greek construction carries a sense of addedness or supplementation. The metaphorical use may develop (as in colloquial English 'to patch things together'), but is not strongly attested in biblical Greek. Related terms: ῥάπτω (to sew), ἐπιῤῥαφή (a patch or sewn-on piece). The imagery underlying NT usage may imply temporary or visible repair, not seamless integration.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί and the base of ῥαφίς; to stitch upon, i.e. fasten with the needle:--sew on.
Root Family
ἐπιῤῥάπτω (epirrhaptō) — to sew, to stitch, to join by sewing, to sew upon
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1976-01 |
ἐπιράπτει | epiraptei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
sews | sews on | sews on | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1976-01 |
Mark 2:21 | ἐπιράπτει | epiraptei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
sews | sews on | sews on |