ἐπάνω
epanō
above
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἐπάνω (epanō) is a preposition that translates to "above." It is used 19 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in conveying spatial relationships and concepts of elevation. In its most literal sense, ἐπάνω refers to a physical location above something or someone, such as a building or a mountain. However, the word's usage extends beyond physical spaces. It is also used metaphorically to convey concepts of superiority, dominance, or transcendence. For example, in Matthew 19:21, Jesus tells a rich young man to "sell what you have and give to the poor" and then "come, follow me" - implying that spiritual pursuits are above material wealth. This range of usage highlights the word's versatility in conveying complex ideas and relationships. The significance of ἐπάνω lies in its ability to describe the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual realms. By using this word, the Bible authors emphasize the idea that spiritual pursuits and values are not separate from, but rather above, material concerns. This concept has far-reaching implications for understanding the nature of reality and our place within it.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
19 total occurrences across the text
They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
Matthew 5:14You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
Matthew 21:7and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their clothes on them; and he sat on them.
Matthew 23:18‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated?’
Matthew 23:20He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it, and by everything on it.
Matthew 23:22He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits on it.
Matthew 27:37They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Matthew 28:2Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it.
Mark 14:5For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor.” So they grumbled against her.
Luke 4:39He stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her. Immediately she rose up and served them.
Luke 10:19Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.
Luke 11:44Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like hidden graves, and the men who walk over them don’t know it.”
Luke 19:17“He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
Luke 19:19“So he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’
John 3:31He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
John 3:31He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
1 Corinthians 15:6Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.
Revelation 6:8And behold, a pale horse, and the name of he who sat on it was Death. Hades followed with him. Authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth was given to him.
Revelation 20:3and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were finished. After this, he must be freed for a short time.