ἐπακολουθέω
epakolouthéō
G1872 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To follow closely; to accompany, come or go after someone or something. Primary sense involves proceeding behind or keeping in step with a person or event, frequently with the implication of sustained, attentive, or purposeful pursuit. Can also mean to adhere to or to pay attention to a development, teaching, or example.
Semantic Range
to follow closely, to accompany, to pursue (physically or metaphorically), to attend upon, to adhere to a person or teaching, to ensue immediately after
Root / Etymology
From ἐπί ('upon, on') and ἀκολουθέω ('to follow'). Composed as an intensification or specification: 'to follow upon' or 'to follow closely after.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐπακολουθέω has limited attestation, usually carrying the meaning of 'to follow upon' or 'to accompany closely.' In Koine Greek, especially in the New Testament (e.g., Mark 16:20; 1 Tim 5:10,24), it often acquires a somewhat technical and metaphorical usage: not only physical accompaniment but also following in the sense of adhering, emulating conduct, or events sequentially ensuing. It differs from ἀκολουθέω (the simple 'to follow') by conveying a heightened sense of immediacy, diligence, or close association. Standard English translations typically render it as 'follow after' or 'accompany,' sometimes missing its nuance of close pursuit or subsequent connection. The term is not as frequent as its root ἀκολουθέω but preserves a more intensive or consequential aspect. Its usage in the Septuagint is rare and matches this heightened sense. In non-biblical Koine, it may be found in medical writers to indicate symptoms that closely follow an illness, again stressing sequential immediacy.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί and ἀκολουθέω; to accompany:--follow (after).
Root Family
ἐπακολουθέω (epakoloutheō) — to follow closely, to go after, to accompany closely
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1872-02 |
ἐπακολουθούντων | epakolouthounton | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN N PL |
that followed | of things following closely | of things following closely | 1 |
G1872-01 |
ἐπακολουθήσητε | epakolouthesete | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL |
you should follow | you may follow closely | you may follow closely | 1 |
G1872-04 |
ἐπηκολούθησεν | epekolouthesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
she has followed | followed closely after | followed closely after | 1 |
G1872-03 |
ἐπακολουθοῦσιν | epakolouthousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
follow after | they are following closely | they follow | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1872-02 |
Mark 16:20 | ἐπακολουθούντων | epakolouthounton | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN N PL |
that followed | of things following closely | of things following closely |
G1872-04 |
1 Timothy 5:10 | ἐπηκολούθησεν | epekolouthesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
she has followed | followed closely after | followed closely after |
G1872-03 |
1 Timothy 5:24 | ἐπακολουθοῦσιν | epakolouthousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
follow after | they are following closely | they follow |
G1872-01 |
1 Peter 2:21 | ἐπακολουθήσητε | epakolouthesete | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL |
you should follow | you may follow closely | you may follow closely |