Greek · G1971 · unreviewed

ἐπιποθέω

To long for

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ἐπιποθέω G1971

Pronunciation epipothéō

What does ἐπιποθέω (epipothéō) mean in the Bible?

ἐπιποθέω (epipothéō) is a Greek word meaning "to long for". ἐπι-ποθέω, -ῶ [in LXX for יָאַב, אָרַג, כָּסַף hi. Highlights the intensity of divine pursuit.

Full entry for ἐπιποθέω (G1971) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to long for

Extended definition

Intense, yearning desire that goes beyond casual wanting; often for absent persons or spiritual realities.

to long for, desire: with inf., Rom.1:11, 2Co.5:2, 1Th.3:6, 2Ti.1:4, Php.2:26 (WH, [txt.]); with accusative of thing(s), 1Pe.2:2; with accusative of person(s), 2Co.9:14, Php.1:8 2:26 (WH, mg); absol., Jas.4:5 (see Mayor, in l).

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Why This Word Matters

Highlights the intensity of divine pursuit. 1 Peter 2:1-10

Shows that spiritual growth requires active craving for gospel nourishment. Luke 15:8–10

Grammatical Forms

How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.

Tenses

Present Aorist

Voices

Active

Indicative states a fact or reality 3×

Present Active Rom 1:11 · Phil 1:8 · Jas 4:5 3×

Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 5×

Present Active 2 Cor 5:2 · 1 Thess 3:6 · Phil 2:26 · 2 Tim 1:4 · 2 Cor 9:14 5×

Imperative command or strong request 1×

Aorist Active 1 Pet 2:2 1×

Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 8 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect

ongoing 3 imperative 1 participle 4

Tense

present 7 aorist 1

Voice

active 8

Mood

participle 4 indicative 3 imperative 1

NT Occurrences

Romans 1:11 ἐπιποθῶ present active indicative ongoing 2 Corinthians 5:2 ἐπιποθοῦντες present active participle participle 2 Corinthians 9:14 ἐπιποθούντων present active participle participle Philippians 1:8 ἐπιποθῶ present active indicative ongoing 1 Thessalonians 3:6 ἐπιποθοῦντες present active participle participle 2 Timothy 1:4 ἐπιποθῶν present active participle participle James 4:5 ἐπιποθεῖ present active indicative ongoing 1 Peter 2:2 ἐπιποθήσατε aorist active imperative imperative

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)

Biblical Occurrences

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

New Testament Witnesses

1 Peter 2:1-10 long for epipothéō Imperative · Aorist Active

to earnestly desire

Luke 15:8–10 ἐπιμελῶς epipothéō

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

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