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ἐπερωτάω

eperōtáō

G1905 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To ask, inquire, or question with specific intent; to address a request or question to someone, often with a sense of seeking information, clarification, or a response. In some contexts, it may also mean to make an appeal, request, or petition, sometimes with a nuance of urgency or directness. The core meaning is 'to ask (of/about)' but can extend to formal questioning, legal inquiry, or petition.

Semantic Range

to inquire, to ask a question, to interrogate, to demand, to request, to petition, to appeal; to seek an answer or information by formal or direct questioning

Root / Etymology

From ἐπί ('upon, over, in addition to') and ἐρωτάω ('to ask, request, question'). The combination emphasizes direction of questioning or heightened intent.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐπερωτάω is used for asking a question or addressing an inquiry to someone, sometimes with legal or formal overtones, such as in court or public meetings. In the Septuagint, it usually translates Hebrew verbs for 'inquire', particularly in oracular or divine contexts (e.g., inquiring of God). In Koine Greek and the New Testament, ἐπερωτάω is used for both ordinary and formal questioning, including interrogations by authorities, inquiring of Jesus or the apostles, or asking for guidance. Occasionally, it contains the nuance of 'making a request' or 'petition,' especially in legal or covenantal contexts (cf. 1 Pet 3:21, where it refers to an appeal or request to God). The term often implies some earnestness or specificity in the questioning, contrasting with the more general ἐρωτάω ('to ask, request, entreat'). English translations usually use 'to ask' or 'to question,' but 'to inquire,' 'to petition,' or 'to request' may better capture the range in certain passages. The semantic distinction between ἐπερωτάω and ἐρωτάω can diminish in everyday usage, but the former often retains the sense of a more formal or pointed inquiry.

Translation Consistency

primary "ask" 52 occurrences

'Ask' is the most natural, versatile English verb that covers the full semantic range of ἐπερωτάω — asking, inquiring, questioning, requesting, petitioning. It is the common, idiomatic choice for both ordinary questions and more formal appeals, and it matches the majority of existing renderings (asking/inquired/asked) while remaining simple and consistent across all forms.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"question" (2x) "inquire" (1x) "having inquired" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπί and ἐρωτάω; to ask for, i.e. inquire, seek:--ask (after, questions), demand, desire, question.

Root Family

ἐπερωτάω (eperōtaō) — to ask, to inquire, to question

Root ἐρωτ- to ask, to inquire, to question

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1905-08 ἐπηρώτησεν eperotesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG asked he inquired he asked 16
G1905-12 ἐπηρώτων eperoton V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL asked they were questioning they were asking 10
G1905-01 ἐπηρώτα eperota V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG asked was asking was asking 10
G1905-05 ἐπηρώτησαν eperotesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they asked they inquired they asked 7
G1905-04 ἐπερωτῆσαι eperotesai V AOR ACT INF to question to inquire of to question 3
G1905-14 ἐπερωτῶσιν eperotosin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL ask they are inquiring they are asking 2
G1905-10 ἐπερωτηθεὶς eperotetheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG having been asked having been questioned having been asked 1
G1905-11 ἐπερωτῶ eperoto V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I ask I am asking I am asking 1
G1905-09 ἐπερωτήσω eperoteso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG I will ask I will inquire I will inquire 1
G1905-02 ἐπερωτᾶν eperotan V PRS ACT INF to question to be asking to question 1

Occurrences in Scripture

56 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1905-05 Matthew 12:10 ἐπηρώτησαν eperotesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they asked they inquired they asked
G1905-05 Matthew 16:1 ἐπηρώτησαν eperotesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL asked they inquired they asked
G1905-05 Matthew 17:10 ἐπηρώτησαν eperotesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL asked they inquired they asked
G1905-05 Matthew 22:23 ἐπηρώτησαν eperotesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL asked they inquired they asked
G1905-08 Matthew 22:35 ἐπηρώτησεν eperotesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG asked he inquired he asked
G1905-08 Matthew 22:41 ἐπηρώτησεν eperotesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG asked he inquired he asked
G1905-04 Matthew 22:46 ἐπερωτῆσαι eperotesai V AOR ACT INF to question to inquire of to have asked
G1905-08 Matthew 27:11 ἐπηρώτησεν eperotesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG asked he inquired he asked
G1905-01 Mark 5:9 ἐπηρώτα eperota V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG he was asking was asking was asking
G1905-14 Mark 7:5 ἐπερωτῶσιν eperotosin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL ask they are inquiring they are asking
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