ἐπίσημος
epísēmos
G1978 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
conspicuously marked, distinguished or prominent; used of persons or things that are noteworthy or well recognized, either because of distinctive characteristics, public reputation, or evident markers. In various contexts, ἐπίσημος can refer to someone held in high regard or something openly recognized as notable.
Semantic Range
marked, distinguished, prominent, notable, conspicuous, renowned, eminent, publicly recognized
Root / Etymology
from ἐπί (upon, over) and σῆμα (mark, sign, token), thus 'marked upon' or 'bearing a mark.' This compound formation emphasizes visible distinctiveness or public recognition associated with an identifying sign.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐπίσημος commonly described something visibly marked — for example, a coin bearing a device, a tomb with an epitaph, or a place with a well-known landmark. By extension, it was applied as an honorific to people or locations of renown, those that 'stand out' in public estimation due to achievement, social standing, or recognizable status. In the Septuagint and Hellenistic literature, the term continues to bear the sense of notable distinction. In the New Testament (e.g., Romans 16:7), ἐπίσημος describes individuals who are outstanding or held in high esteem among their peers, not merely 'noted' but marked out as prominent. Some later translation traditions render ἐπίσημος as 'of note' or 'notable,' but the Greek conveys a stronger sense of visible prominence or marked distinction (as with something manifestly set apart). Related terms include περιβόητος (famous, notorious), but ἐπίσημος emphasizes the visible sign or mark of distinction rather than reputation alone.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί and some form of the base of σημαίνω; remarkable, i.e. (figuratively) eminent:--notable, of note.
Root Family
ἐπίσημος (epísēmos) — marked, distinguished, prominent, notable
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1978-01 |
ἐπίσημοι | episemoi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
outstanding | distinguished ones | distinguished | 1 |
G1978-02 |
ἐπίσημον | episemon | ADJ.A ACC M SG |
notorious | distinguished | distinguished | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1978-02 |
Matthew 27:16 | ἐπίσημον | episemon | ADJ.A ACC M SG |
notorious | distinguished | distinguished |
G1978-01 |
Romans 16:7 | ἐπίσημοι | episemoi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
outstanding | distinguished ones | distinguished |