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ἐπιμελέομαι

epimeléomai

G1959 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To take care of, to attend to, to provide attentive oversight; used for both practical and general forms of care, especially with a connotation of responsible, continuous attention. In New Testament usage, refers to exercising mindful supervision or being entrusted with the well-being or management of persons (such as family members or an entrusted group) or things (such as property).

Semantic Range

to take care of, to look after, to manage responsibly, to provide ongoing care, to supervise, to pay careful attention to

Root / Etymology

From ἐπί (upon, over) and μέλω (to be an object of care or concern). Composed as a middle voice verb, indicating the subject's active engagement or involvement in the action. The formation is distinctly Koine and post-classical.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested from Hellenistic Greek onward; ἐπιμελέομαι builds upon the core idea of μέλω but intensifies it with the prefix ἐπί, which adds a nuance of supervision or ongoing attention. Unlike merely feeling concern, the verb denotes concrete action on behalf of others or things, especially in organizational or familial contexts. In the New Testament, it appears in Luke 10:34–35 (the parable of the Samaritan, who 'takes care' of the wounded man) and 1 Timothy 3:5,12 (regarding the care/management of one's household). In both instances, it implies sustained practical responsibility. Distinct from terms like φροντίζω (to be anxious or concerned), ἐπιμελέομαι refers less to emotion and more to practical, attentive action. Standard English translations such as 'take care of,' 'see to,' or 'care for' reflect parts of the word's usage but may not fully capture the sense of ongoing, responsible oversight inherent in the Greek. The term is closely related to the noun ἐπιμέλεια ('care, attention') and the adjective ἐπιμελής ('careful, attentive').

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

middle voice from ἐπί and the same as μέλω; to care for (physically or otherwise):--take care of.

Root Family

ἐπιμελέομαι (epimeleomai) — to care about, to be concerned, to attend to, to supervise

Root μελ- to care about, to be concerned

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1959-02 ἐπιμελήσεται epimelesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG take care of will take care of will take care of 1
G1959-01 ἐπεμελήθη epemelethe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG took-care-of he/she took care of took care of 1
G1959-03 ἐπιμελήθητι epimeletheti V AOR PASS IMP 2P SG Take care of Take diligent care Take diligent care 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1959-01 Luke 10:34 ἐπεμελήθη epemelethe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG took-care-of he/she took care of took care of
G1959-03 Luke 10:35 ἐπιμελήθητι epimeletheti V AOR PASS IMP 2P SG Take care of Take diligent care Take diligent care
G1959-02 1 Timothy 3:5 ἐπιμελήσεται epimelesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG take care of will take care of will take care of
← G1958 Greek Lexicon G1960 →