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ἐπιτήδειος

epitḗdeios

G2006 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

suitable, appropriate, or fit for a particular use, purpose, or situation; in some contexts, referring to things that are necessary or required for daily living or for a specific task. The term primarily indicates fitness or usefulness for a given end, but can extend to mean 'things needed' in the context of necessities.

Semantic Range

suitable, appropriate, adapted to needs or circumstances, fit for use, necessary, requisite, things needed, provisions

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἐπιτήδειος (fitting, suitable), itself from ἐπί (upon, for) + the stem of τίθημι (to place, put), with the sense of 'set upon as appropriate.' The word does not derive from ἀρκέω ('to be enough'), despite the similarity in gloss; its etymological root relates to actions or things fitting the circumstances.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐπιτήδειος most often functions as an adjective meaning 'suitable' or 'convenient,' found in authors such as Herodotus and Plato to describe people, actions, or objects well adapted to their purpose. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, it can acquire a substantive use (often plural), especially in the phrase τὰ ἐπιτήδεια, to mean 'things necessary for life' (e.g., provisions, supplies), as seen in both literary and documentary papyri. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the sense of 'necessities' or 'things required' is generally context-driven, but the central idea of 'suitability' remains. Standard English translations may obscure the nuance of appropriateness inherent in the term by using 'necessaries' or 'things needful,' which communicates requirement but not intrinsic suitability.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (enough); serviceable, i.e. (by implication) requisite:--things which are needful.

Root Family

ἐπιτήδειος (epitēdeios) — suitable, fit, appropriate, requisite

Root ἐπιτηδει- to be suitable, to be fit, to be appropriate

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2006-01 ἐπιτήδεια epitedeia ADJ.S ACC N PL things needful suitable things things needful 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2006-01 James 2:16 ἐπιτήδεια epitedeia ADJ.S ACC N PL things needful suitable things things needful
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