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ἐπέχω

epéchō

G1907 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To hold fast or keep in position; to restrain or detain something or someone. The verb also carries the sense of directing one's attention intently to something (often with the mind or thoughts), or of maintaining something in a given state. In certain contexts, it can mean to delay or withhold, and in figurative uses, to give one's attention carefully or attentively.

Semantic Range

to hold on to, to keep in place, to detain or restrain, to pay attention to, to direct the mind toward, to delay, to suspend judgment, to expect or await attentively

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἐπί (upon, on) and the verb ἔχω (to have, to hold); literally 'to hold upon' or 'hold toward.' The formation is regular in Greek compounding, with the preverb ἐπί modifying the sense of 'holding' to imply direction or emphasis.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐπέχω appears with the physical sense of holding back, detaining, or restraining (e.g., holding a ship at anchor), or maintaining position. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, it acquires extended metaphorical senses: it often means 'to pay attention,' 'to direct the mind toward,' or 'to heed' (cf. usage with τὸν νοῦν, 'the mind'). In philosophical and rhetorical sources, it can mean to suspend judgment or to concentrate thought. The Septuagint sometimes uses ἐπέχω with both literal and figurative meanings. In the New Testament, the term typically appears in contexts of directing one's mind, attention, or care toward something, as in Acts 3:5, where it means 'to pay attention' or 'to expect.' English translations vary: 'give heed,' 'pay attention,' 'hold back,' or 'restrain,' depending on context. The range of meaning is wider than English 'detain' or 'hold forth,' thus context determines the nuance.

Translation Consistency

primary "hold" 2 occurrences

“Hold” best covers the full, typical range of ἐπέχω: to hold/keep in place, to restrain or detain, to maintain a state, to delay or hold back, and to direct attention (e.g., “hold attention,” “hold in suspense”). It is natural English and can be inflected consistently for the different contexts of the five occurrences.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"observing" (1x) "giving heed" (1x) "remained" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπί and ἔχω; to hold upon, i.e. (by implication) to retain; (by extension) to detain; (with implication, of νοῦς) to pay attention to:--give (take) heed unto, hold forth, mark, stay.

Root Family

ἔχω (epéchō) — to hold, to keep, to have possession

Root ἔχω to hold, to keep, to have possession
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G568 ἀπέχω has in full

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1907-01 ἔπεχε epeche V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG Pay close attention Keep holding to Keep holding to 1
G1907-02 ἐπέχων epechon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG observing holding fast observing 1
G1907-03 ἐπέχοντες epechontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL holding fast holding fast holding fast 1
G1907-04 ἐπεῖχεν epeichen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG gave heed was holding fast was giving heed 1
G1907-05 ἐπέσχεν epeschen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG stayed he held fast remained 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1907-02 Luke 14:7 ἐπέχων epechon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG observing holding fast observing
G1907-04 Acts 3:5 ἐπεῖχεν epeichen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG gave heed was holding fast was giving heed
G1907-05 Acts 19:22 ἐπέσχεν epeschen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG stayed he held fast remained
G1907-03 Philippians 2:16 ἐπέχοντες epechontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL holding fast holding fast holding fast
G1907-01 1 Timothy 4:16 ἔπεχε epeche V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG Pay close attention Keep holding to Keep holding to
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