Greek · G1941 · unreviewed

ἐπικαλέομαι

To call (on)/name

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

ἐπικαλέομαι G1941
Pronunciation epikaléomai

What does ἐπικαλέομαι (epikaléomai) mean in the Bible?

ἐπικαλέομαι (epikaléomai) is a Greek word meaning "to call (on)/name". ἐπι-καλέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for קָרָא ;] __1. Expresses personal trust and appeal to the Lord for salvation. This term runs through the canonical themes of Faith, Redemption.

Full entry for ἐπικαλέομαι (G1941) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to call (on)/name
Extended definition

To call upon in prayer or invocation; to appeal to someone for help or authority.

1to call, name, surname: with accusative (cl.), Mat.10:25; pass., Act.1:23 4:36 10:5, 18 10:22 11:13 12:12, 25, Heb.11:16; τ. ὄνομα, before ἐπί (denoting possession, as Heb. עַל. . שֻׁם קָרָא), Act.15:17 (LXX), Jas.2:7 (see. CB on Amo.9:12).
2Mid. (so also act.; cl., LXX), to call upon, invoke, appeal to (θεόν, θεούς, Hdt., Xen., al.; cf. Deiss., LAE, 426): Καίσαρα (Σεβαστόν, Act.25:25), Act.25:11-12, 21 26:32 28:19; sc. τ. Κύριον Ἰησοῦν, Act.7:59; μάρτυρα (cl.) τ. θεόν, 2Co.1:23; πατέρα, 1Pe.1:17; τ. κύριον, Rom.10:12, 2Ti.2:22; τ. ὄνομα κυρίου (μου, σου; like Heb. יְהוָֹה שֻׁם קָרָא), Act.2:21 (LXX) Act.9:14, 21 22:16, Rom.10:13-14" (LXX) 1Co.1:2 (Cremer, 335, 742).
Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
Why This Word Matters
Expresses personal trust and appeal to the Lord for salvation. Acts 22:6-16
Formal invocation of Roman legal right. Acts 25:1-12
Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 21 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect
completed 1 ongoing 3 resultant 3 subjunctive 3 infinitive 1 participle 10
Tense
present 9 aorist 9 perfect 2 pluperfect 1
Voice
middle 18 passive 2 active 1
Mood
participle 10 indicative 7 subjunctive 3 infinitive 1
NT Occurrences
Matthew 10:25 ἐπεκάλεσαν aorist active indicative completed Acts 2:21 ἐπικαλέσηται aorist middle subjunctive subjunctive Acts 7:59 ἐπικαλούμενον present middle participle participle Acts 9:14 ἐπικαλουμένους present middle participle participle Acts 9:21 ἐπικαλουμένους present middle participle participle Acts 15:17 ἐπικέκληται perfect passive indicative resultant Acts 22:16 ἐπικαλεσάμενος aorist middle participle participle Acts 25:11 ἐπικαλοῦμαι present middle indicative ongoing Acts 25:12 ἐπικέκλησαι perfect middle indicative resultant Acts 25:21 ἐπικαλεσαμένου aorist middle participle participle Acts 25:25 ἐπικαλεσαμένου aorist middle participle participle Acts 26:32 ἐπεκέκλητο pluperfect middle indicative resultant Acts 28:19 ἐπικαλέσασθαι aorist middle infinitive infinitive Romans 10:12 ἐπικαλουμένους present middle participle participle Romans 10:13 ἐπικαλέσηται aorist middle subjunctive subjunctive Romans 10:14 ἐπικαλέσωνται aorist middle subjunctive subjunctive 1 Corinthians 1:2 ἐπικαλουμένοις present middle participle participle 2 Corinthians 1:23 ἐπικαλοῦμαι present middle indicative ongoing 2 Timothy 2:22 ἐπικαλουμένων present middle participle participle James 2:7 ἐπικληθὲν aorist passive participle participle 1 Peter 1:17 ἐπικαλεῖσθε present middle indicative ongoing

Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.

Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)

Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources