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ἐπίσταμαι

epístamai

G1987 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ἱστα- to stand, to set, to place oneself

Definition

To know or understand, to be acquainted with knowledge, to have familiarity with or skill in something, emphasizing conscious awareness or comprehension of facts, concepts, or information. In some contexts, can carry the nuance of being informed about a matter or being experienced in a field or issue. The sense often stresses internal, mindful apprehension rather than merely possessing information or mechanical knowledge.

Semantic Range

to know, to understand, to be acquainted with, to have practical skill, to be experienced or informed, to perceive consciously

Root / Etymology

Formed from ἐπί ('upon') + ἵσταμαι ('to stand'), originally conveying 'to stand upon' in a mental sense, i.e., to set one's mind upon something. While it appears morphologically linked to ἐφίστημι ('to stand over, approach'), its meaning is distinct and specialized in the sense of cognitive perception. The root verb ἵστημι ('to stand') provides the base. A sense of 'standing over in the mind,' hence 'comprehend' or 'know.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb ἐπίσταμαι appears in classical Greek from at least the 5th century BCE, retaining throughout its history the sense of knowing skillfully or having expertise. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, it is often used for cognitive, experiential, or practical knowledge, distinct from εἰδέναι ('to know') which often designates perception or intellectual knowledge. In the New Testament, ἐπίσταμαι tends to refer to knowing in the sense of being aware, conscious, or skillfully familiar with something (Acts 18:25; 20:18). The term is not limited to theoretical knowledge; it frequently implies acquaintance with procedures, facts, or skills. Septuagint usage similarly features ἐπίσταμαι for understanding or having competency. English translations often render both ἐπίσταμαι and εἰδέναι with 'to know,' but ἐπίσταμαι commonly implies a more active, experienced, or reflective knowing. Unlike γινώσκω (G1097), which denotes coming to know or recognizing, ἐπίσταμαι implies established or mature knowledge. Theologically, the word is neutral and should be understood primarily in its cognitive and experiential senses.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a middle voice of ἐφίστημι (with νοῦς implied); to put the mind upon, i.e. comprehend, or be acquainted with:--know, understand.

Root Family

ἐπίσταμαι (epistamai) — to stand upon mentally, to know, to understand, to be acquainted with, to be experienced

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G1987-04 ἐπίστασθε epistasthe V PRS MID IND 2P PL know you yourselves understand 5
G1987-02 ἐπιστάμενος epistamenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG knowing one consciously understanding 4
G1987-03 ἐπίστανται epistantai V PRS MID IND 3P PL know they understand 2
G1987-01 ἐπίσταμαι epistamai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I know I understand for myself 2
G1987-05 ἐπίσταται epistatai V PRS MID IND 3P SG knows he is understanding 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G1987-01 Mark 14:68 ἐπίσταμαι epistamai V PRS MID IND 1P SG understand I understand for myself
G1987-04 Acts 10:28 ἐπίστασθε epistasthe V PRS MID IND 2P PL know you yourselves understand
G1987-04 Acts 15:7 ἐπίστασθε epistasthe V PRS MID IND 2P PL know you yourselves understand
G1987-02 Acts 18:25 ἐπιστάμενος epistamenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG knowing one consciously understanding
G1987-01 Acts 19:15 ἐπίσταμαι epistamai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I know I understand for myself
G1987-04 Acts 19:25 ἐπίστασθε epistasthe V PRS MID IND 2P PL you know you yourselves understand
G1987-04 Acts 20:18 ἐπίστασθε epistasthe V PRS MID IND 2P PL know you yourselves understand
G1987-03 Acts 22:19 ἐπίστανται epistantai V PRS MID IND 3P PL know they understand
G1987-02 Acts 24:10 ἐπιστάμενος epistamenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG knowing one consciously understanding
G1987-05 Acts 26:26 ἐπίσταται epistatai V PRS MID IND 3P SG knows he is understanding
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