ἐπιφώσκω
epiphṓskō
G2020 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to begin to grow light, to be at the first appearance of dawn; refers specifically to the first onset of daylight, whether literal (the actual break of day) or used figuratively to indicate the start of a new period or event approaching daylight. In Koine Greek usage, the verb refers to either the time when daylight begins to appear or, more generally, to the arrival of an expected time.
Semantic Range
to begin to grow light, to dawn, to approach daylight, to indicate the start of a new day (sunset or sunrise, context-dependent); figuratively, to approach a new period or anticipated time
Root / Etymology
From the root ἐπιφαύω ('to shine upon, to give light upon') with a morphological shift to a verb describing the process of light's beginning, especially as it relates to the dawn. Related to φαίνω ('to bring to light, cause to appear'). The form is a rare or poetic usage, likely influenced by earlier epic and Hellenistic usage.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested very rarely in extant Greek literature, ἐπιφώσκω appears mainly in the New Testament (notably Matthew 28:1 and Luke 23:54), both referring to a particular time relative to Jewish calendar reckoning and Sabbath observance. In these contexts, it describes either the approach of Sabbath (as it 'dawns' or begins) or the break of dawn after the Sabbath. In the Septuagint, usage is extremely rare or possibly unattested. The verb focuses on the process of light appearing and can also be used metaphorically, but in Koine contexts it is almost exclusively connected with temporal 'dawning.' Later English translations typically render this as 'dawn' or 'draw on,' though care must be taken that in Jewish time reckoning, 'dawn' can mean either the start of a new day at sundown (nightfall beginning) or literal sunrise, as the Jewish calendar reckons days from sundown to sundown. Classical Greek more commonly uses ἀνατέλλω or ἐπιφαίνω for 'to dawn,' but ἐπιφώσκω carries a nuanced focus on the incipient beginning of daylight.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a form of ἐπιφαύω; to begin to grow light:--begin to dawn, X draw on.
Root Family
ἐπιφώσκω (epiphōskō) — to begin to become light, to begin to appear, to dawn
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2020-01 |
ἐπέφωσκεν | epephosken | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
was dawning | was beginning to dawn | 1 |
G2020-02 |
ἐπιφωσκούσῃ | epiphoskouse | V PRS ACT PTCP DAT F SG |
at dawning | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2020-02 |
Matthew 28:1 | ἐπιφωσκούσῃ | epiphoskouse | V PRS ACT PTCP DAT F SG |
at dawning | |
G2020-01 |
Luke 23:54 | ἐπέφωσκεν | epephosken | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
was dawning | was beginning to dawn |