ἐπινεύω
epineúō
G1962 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To nod or make a sign (usually with the head) towards someone, typically as a gesture of assent, approval, or granting permission; by extension, to indicate agreement, approval, or consent by means of a gesture rather than with speech. In some contexts, can carry the nuance of signaling agreement or silently granting a request.
Semantic Range
to nod (the head) as a sign, to give a sign of assent, to silently signal consent or approval, to grant permission by gesture
Root / Etymology
From ἐπί (upon, towards) and νεύω (to nod, especially with the head or face, as a sign). The formation denotes the sense of 'nodding toward' or 'signaling assent to someone.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, νεύω generally meant 'to nod' with the head and was a common—and often nonverbal—way to signal agreement, willingness, or to give permission. ἐπινεύω retains this core meaning in Koine Greek: expressing consent or agreement by a gesture rather than by words. The term appears rarely in the New Testament and Septuagint, and when it does, it almost always refers to the act of granting a request or giving permission with a nod or gesture. In everyday ancient Greek, such gestures were culturally significant as indirect forms of communication. English translations such as 'consent' or 'assent' typically render the intended effect (agreement or permission) but overlook the nonverbal dimension (the nodding gesture) inherent in the original term. Related terms include διανεύω (to make a sign across, often by nodding), which may overlap in some contexts. ἐπινεύω never carries the sense of verbal agreement or spoken assent: its focus is always on the physical gesture or sign as a communicative act. Not attested in major classical works as frequently as plain νεύω, but retained its place in Hellenistic and Roman-period Greek.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί and νεύω; to nod at, i.e. (by implication) to assent:--consent.
Root Family
ἐπινεύω (epineuō) — to nod, to signal with a gesture, to indicate approval
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1962-01 |
ἐπένευσεν | epeneusen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
consented | he nodded assent | he nodded assent | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1962-01 |
Acts 18:20 | ἐπένευσεν | epeneusen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
consented | he nodded assent | he nodded assent |