ἐπιβάλλω
epiballō
to put on/seize
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἐπιβάλλω (epiballō) is a verb that carries the basic meaning of "to put on" or "seize." In its fundamental sense, it implies a physical action of placing something over or upon another thing. However, this meaning can also convey a sense of taking hold or grasping something, which may be literal or metaphorical. In biblical usage, ἐπιβάλλω appears 18 times, encompassing a range of contexts. It can be used to describe the application of a garment (e.g., putting on clothes), but also figuratively to convey the idea of taking possession of something (e.g., seizing power or a throne). This versatility highlights the word's adaptability to different situations and its ability to convey a sense of agency or action. The significance of ἐπιβάλλω lies in its nuanced exploration of relationship between an object or idea and the one who experiences it. By using this verb, the biblical authors can convey a sense of ownership, authority, or transformation, inviting the reader to contemplate the implications of "putting on" or "seizing" something.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
18 total occurrences across the text
No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made.
Matthew 26:50Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Mark 4:37A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled.
Mark 11:7They brought the young donkey to Jesus, and threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it.
Mark 14:46They laid their hands on him, and seized him.
Mark 14:72The rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the word, how that Jesus said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” When he thought about that, he wept.
Luke 5:36He also told a parable to them. “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old garment, or else he will tear the new, and also the piece from the new will not match the old.
Luke 9:62But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for God’s Kingdom.”
Luke 15:12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ He divided his livelihood between them.
Luke 20:19The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the people—for they knew he had spoken this parable against them.
Luke 21:12But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake.
John 7:30They sought therefore to take him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.
John 7:44Some of them would have arrested him, but no one laid hands on him.
Acts 4:3They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening.
Acts 5:18and laid hands on the apostles, then put them in public custody.
Acts 12:1Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly.
Acts 21:27When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him,
1 Corinthians 7:35This I say for your own profit; not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction.