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ἐπάνω

epánō

G1883 preposition

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primarily denotes a position of being over or situated above something in spatial terms; can also indicate figurative or abstract elevation such as higher rank, superior status, or greater quantity. In context, ἐπάνω frequently functions as a preposition, adverb, or improper preposition to express the notion of 'over', 'on top of', 'above', or 'beyond' in both literal and metaphorical senses. It is used to describe physical location, hierarchical status, authority, quantity, or extent exceeding a reference point.

Semantic Range

above, over, on top of, upon, more than, beyond (in rank, amount, or place); figuratively: higher in authority or status, surpassing

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἐπί ('on, upon, over') and the adverb ἄνω ('upwards, above'). The formation expresses the idea of being positioned upon or above something.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested in classical Greek as an adverb meaning 'above' or 'over', ἐπάνω remains consistent in Koine usage, appearing frequently in the Septuagint and New Testament. In both LXX and NT texts, it can refer to physical placement (e.g., objects laid upon one another), higher status or authority (e.g., rulers placed over others), or numerical comparison ('more than' a given number). Unlike the simple ἐπί, which can have broader meanings (including 'on', 'at', 'against'), ἐπάνω more specifically connotes elevation or superiority. In translations, ἐπάνω is sometimes rendered as 'upon', 'over', 'above', or 'more than', depending on the context, but these English terms may not fully capture the nuance between physical and abstract senses present in the Greek. There is no substantial semantic shift between classical and Koine periods, though frequency of figurative usages increases in later sources.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπί and ἄνω; up above, i.e. over or on (of place, amount, rank, etc.):--above, more than, (up-)on, over.

Root Family

ἐπάνω (epanō) — upon, above, over, beyond

Root ἐπ- to be upon, to be above, to be over

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1883-01 ἐπάνω epano PREP GEN over over over 19

Occurrences in Scripture

19 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1883-01 Matthew 2:9 ἐπάνω epano PREP GEN over over over
G1883-01 Matthew 5:14 ἐπάνω epano PREP GEN on over over
G1883-01 Matthew 21:7 ἐπάνω epano PREP GEN on over on
G1883-01 Matthew 23:18 ἐπάνω epano PREP GEN upon over upon
G1883-01 Matthew 23:20 ἐπάνω epano PREP GEN on over over
G1883-01 Matthew 23:22 ἐπάνω epano PREP GEN upon over over
G1883-01 Matthew 27:37 ἐπάνω epano PREP GEN above over over
G1883-01 Matthew 28:2 ἐπάνω epano PREP GEN upon over upon
G1883-01 Mark 14:5 ἐπάνω epano ADV for more than over over
G1883-01 Luke 4:39 ἐπάνω epano PREP GEN over over over
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