ἐπιγαμβρεύω
epigambreuō
to marry
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἐπιγαμβρεύω (epigambreuō) is defined as "to marry." It appears only once in the Bible. Based on its solitary appearance, we cannot fully assess its range of usage, but the definition clearly indicates that it denotes a social or familial act. In the context of the Bible, marrying may have held significant implications for ancient societies, including family relationships, inheritance, and social status. The fact that ἐπιγαμβρεύω is used only once may suggest that it carries a particular nuance or connotation not present in other words for marriage. However, without additional context or examples, its distinctiveness cannot be determined. The limited occurrence of ἐπιγαμβρεύω does not diminish its significance. In a small but specific context, this word has served its purpose, conveying an idea that is integral to the narrative. Its importance lies in its ability to convey a precise meaning that may vary from other words related to marriage, such as κτηνοῦμα (to take as a wife) or γαμέω (to be married).
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence across the text