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ἐμπίπτω

empíptō

G1706 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To fall into or upon; primarily, to come upon by falling, either literally (such as a person or object collapsing onto or into something) or figuratively (being overtaken or afflicted by an event, person, or circumstance). The verb can denote both intentional and unintentional falling, such as the sudden encounter of something or someone, or being subject to overwhelming influence or danger. Broader senses include experiencing misfortune, encountering a particular situation, or being attacked.

Semantic Range

to fall into, to fall upon, to be overtaken by, to encounter, to be caught by, to be attacked by, to be afflicted by, to experience (usually negatively), to incur

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἐν (in, into) combined with the verb πίπτω (to fall), forming a compound verb with the sense of 'falling into' or 'falling upon.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐμπίπτω is attested with both literal and figurative meanings, usually denoting physical falling onto something or someone, such as falling into a place or situation. In the Septuagint, it often renders Hebrew expressions for being overtaken by events or dangers (e.g., falling into the hands of enemies). In the New Testament, it maintains this duality: literal (Acts 20:9, of Eutychus falling from a window) and metaphorical (Luke 10:30, 'falling among robbers', meaning to encounter or be attacked by them). The sense can also extend to 'incurring' something, especially in negative contexts, such as being overtaken by disaster (e.g., 1 Timothy 3:6–7, 'falling into condemnation'). English translations such as 'fall into,' 'fall among,' or 'encounter' capture the direct force but may not always convey the sense of suddenness or vulnerability implicit in Greek usage. Related verbs like ἐπιπίπτω (to fall upon) may overlap, but ἐμπίπτω emphasizes entry or immersion into a circumstance or group, not just contact. The word is used for both animate and inanimate subjects, and the context determines whether physical or metaphorical falling is meant.

Translation Consistency

primary "fall" 7 occurrences

Empíptō most often denotes literally or figuratively falling into/on or being overtaken/afflicted. "Fall" is the natural, versatile English verb that covers the primary literal sense (fall into/upon) and the common figurative senses (fall into misfortune, fall upon/by an enemy, be overtaken). It is simple, consistent, and will read naturally across contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐν and πίπτω; to fall on, i.e. (literally) to be entrapped by, or (figuratively) be overwhelmed with:--fall among (into).

Root Family

πιπτ- (empíptō) — to fall, to come upon, to encounter

Root πιπτ- to fall, to come upon, to encounter
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1968 ἐπιπίπτω they fell upon
G377 ἀναπίπτω Recline
G4098 πίπτω I fell
G634 ἀποπίπτω they fell away

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1706-01 ἐμπέσῃ empese V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG fall might fall into might fall into 3
G1706-02 ἐμπεσεῖν empesein V AOR ACT INF to fall to fall into to fall into 1
G1706-03 ἐμπεσόντος empesontos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG who fell of him having fallen upon one having fallen among 1
G1706-04 ἐμπεσοῦνται empesountai V FUT MID IND 3P PL fall they will fall into they will fall into 1
G1706-05 ἐμπίπτουσιν empiptousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL fall they fall into they fall into 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1706-01 Matthew 12:11 ἐμπέσῃ empese V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG falls might fall into might fall into
G1706-04 Luke 6:39 ἐμπεσοῦνται empesountai V FUT MID IND 3P PL fall they will fall into they will fall into
G1706-03 Luke 10:36 ἐμπεσόντος empesontos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG who fell of him having fallen upon one having fallen among
G1706-01 1 Timothy 3:6 ἐμπέσῃ empese V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG fall might fall into might fall into
G1706-01 1 Timothy 3:7 ἐμπέσῃ empese V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG fall might fall into might fall into
G1706-05 1 Timothy 6:9 ἐμπίπτουσιν empiptousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL fall they fall into they fall into
G1706-02 Hebrews 10:31 ἐμπεσεῖν empesein V AOR ACT INF to fall to fall into to fall into
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