ἐπιδύω
epidýō
G1931 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To go down or set completely, especially used of the sun or other celestial bodies; by extension, to disappear or sink below the horizon. The primary sense is the act of moving beneath the visible horizon, marking the end of daylight. In some contexts, may refer metaphorically to cessation or passing away.
Semantic Range
to go down fully (of the sun or other luminaries), to set completely, to disappear below the horizon, to cease or pass away (metaphorical)
Root / Etymology
From the preposition ἐπί (upon, over) and the verb δύνω (to sink, set, go down). The compound intensifies the basic verbal sense, adding a nuance of completeness or emphasis to the action of setting.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical usage, the simple verb δύνω was often used for 'to sink' or 'set' (of the sun or stars). The compound ἐπιδύω appears rarely outside Koine sources, with its usage mainly limited to Hellenistic and later Greek. In the Septuagint and New Testament, ἐπιδύω denotes the complete setting of the sun, commonly as a natural time marker for events (e.g., ending of a day, onset of the next period for ritual or social activity). The term serves as a temporal reference point (e.g., Ephesians 4:26: 'let not the sun go down upon your anger'), reinforcing the imagery of something being fully completed or disappearing from view. English translations such as 'go down' or 'set' accurately render the primary sense, but may not always convey the intensity implied by the compound form. The word is distinct from δύω or δύνω, in that the prefix ἐπί adds a sense of completeness or upon-ness, highlighting the full descent beyond or beneath a point of reference.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί and δύνω; to set fully (as the sun):--go down.
Root Family
ἐπιδύω (epidýō) — to sink, to set, to go down fully
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1931-01 |
ἐπιδυέτω | epidueto | V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG |
let go down | let it set fully | let go down | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1931-01 |
Ephesians 4:26 | ἐπιδυέτω | epidueto | V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG |
let go down | let it set fully | let go down |