ἐπίνοια
epínoia
G1963 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Directed thought or intellectual consideration; the act or process of formulating an idea, plan, or intention. ἐπίνοια refers to the exercise or application of the mind to produce understanding, form concepts, devise plans, or make purposeful decisions; in some contexts, it may denote an intention or mental conception.
Semantic Range
thought, consideration, mental conception, intention, purpose, plan, intellectual activity
Root / Etymology
From ἐπί (upon, over) and νοῦς (mind, intellect), forming a compound meaning 'a thinking upon' or 'mental reflection.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek literature, ἐπίνοια typically describes deliberate thinking, inventiveness, or concept formation, distinguishing itself from νόημα (meaning) as the process rather than the result of thought. In philosophical writings, it could signify a conjecture or an abstract conception developed through reasoning. In the Koine period and Hellenistic Jewish texts (including the Septuagint), ἐπίνοια maintained the sense of a conceived idea or intention. Its New Testament usage remains rare, but when present, it conveys the active, purposeful element of mental activity rather than a passive moment of awareness. English translations rendering it simply as 'thought' may miss its emphatic nuance of construction and intentionality. It is less common than cognate terms like διάνοια (understanding, mind) but underscores creative or directed mental activity.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί and νοῦς; attention of the mind, i.e. (by implication) purpose:--thought.
Root Family
ἐπίνοια (epinoia) — directed thought, mental conception, intention, plan, intellectual consideration
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1963-01 |
ἐπίνοια | epinoia | N NOM F SG |
thought | mental conception | thought | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1963-01 |
Acts 8:22 | ἐπίνοια | epinoia | N NOM F SG |
thought | mental conception | thought |