ἤπιος
ḗpios
G2261 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Mild, gentle, kind in disposition or manner; denotes a soft, considerate, and non-harsh approach in speech or behavior. The term conveys an absence of severity, harshness, or strictness, highlighting a manner that is approachable and considerate towards others. Used especially of interpersonal conduct characterized by gentleness or mildness, often in contexts where restraint or a gentle touch is valued.
Semantic Range
gentle in manner, mild in disposition, kind or considerate in dealing with others, tender or compassionate in conduct, affable toward others
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Homeric Greek noun ἔπος (word, speech), with the sense having shifted from 'kind in word' to a broader sense of mildness and gentleness in behavior and disposition. The connection to ἔπος lies in the idea of kind or gentle speech, which later generalized to conduct.
Historical & Contextual Notes
First attested in Homeric poetry with reference to gentle or mild words, ἤπιος carried forward the sense of pleasantness, kindness, or tenderness, especially in social and interpersonal situations. In classical Greek, it was used of people (e.g., rulers, parents) who were gentle in manner or dealt kindly with others. In Koine Greek, including the New Testament, its usage remains consistent, often in contrast to terms denoting harshness or severity (e.g., σκληρός). In the Pauline epistles, ἤπιος describes the manner appropriate for leaders in community life, connoting a gentle, approachable, and non-threatening attitude. While standard English translations use 'gentle' or 'mild,' the Greek term often carries connotations related to kind or tender behavior that may be lost in the brevity of translation. No direct equivalent existed in Hebrew, and the term does not appear in the Septuagint; however, the Greek notion of ἤπιος can be functionally compared with certain Hebrew and Aramaic concepts of compassion or merciful disposition.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from ἔπος; properly, affable, i.e. mild or kind:--gentle.
Root Family
ἤπι- (ḗpios) — mild, gentle, kind, tender
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2261-01 |
ἤπιον | epion | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
kind | they drank | kind | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2261-01 |
2 Timothy 2:24 | ἤπιον | epion | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
kind | they drank | kind |