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ἐπακούω

epakoúō

G1873 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To listen attentively to, to heed, to pay careful attention to (a person's request or plea), often with the nuance of responding favorably. In most contexts, the term implies not only the act of hearing but also a readiness to act upon what is heard, often in response to a request or appeal.

Semantic Range

to listen attentively, to heed, to respond to a request, to grant attention or compliance, to accede (to a petition or plea)

Root / Etymology

Compound of ἐπί ('on, upon, in addition to, toward') and ἀκούω ('to hear'). The prepositional prefix ἐπί adds a directional or intensive nuance, indicating listening with emphasis or in response to something.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Occurrences of ἐπακούω are rare in extant Greek literature and are not frequent in the New Testament (only found in specific contexts such as legal/parabolic oracles or petitions, e.g. Acts 12:13). In Koine usage, it carries the sense of responding to the call or plea of someone, with an implication of engagement or favor, going beyond simple auditory perception ('to hear'). It is often distinguished from ἀκούω by its more focused attention to the request and by the context of answering or granting (cf. ἐπακοή, 'obedience,' 'compliance'). English translations such as 'hear' or 'hearken' can obscure this nuance of favorable or responsive listening. In LXX and Hellenistic texts, the term may be found in legal and religious documents to indicate the act of granting a petition or plea. No significant distinction of religious vs secular use is apparent, but the sense usually includes not only hearing but also potential action taken by the hearer.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπί and ἀκούω; to hearken (favorably) to:--hear.

Root Family

ἐπακούω (epakouō) — to hear, to listen, to heed, to attend to

Root ἀκού- to hear, to listen, to attend to

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1873-01 ἐπήκουσά epekousa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I listened I heeded I heeded 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1873-01 2 Corinthians 6:2 ἐπήκουσά epekousa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I listened I heeded I heeded
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