ἐπιστήμων
epistḗmōn
G1990 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Possessing understanding or expertise; knowledgeable, skilled, or experienced in a field or discipline. In Hellenistic and early Christian contexts, refers to one recognized for their practical insight, discernment, or intellectual competence, especially in matters requiring judgment or specialized knowledge. May be descriptive of teachers or authorities within a community.
Semantic Range
knowledgeable, skilled, expert, learned, one possessing understanding or discernment, someone qualified or competent in a field, sagacious, having practical competence
Root / Etymology
From ἐπίσταμαι ('to know, to understand') with the adjectival suffix -ων, forming an adjective or substantive indicating a person who possesses knowledge or is skilled.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested from classical Greek, where ἐπιστήμων refers generally to someone who is learned, skilled, or expert, especially in technical, ethical, or professional domains (e.g., crafts, governance, philosophy). In the Septuagint and later Jewish/Christian writings, the term can be descriptive of those qualified to interpret law, tradition, or ethical instruction (e.g., a sage or teacher). The term is broader than simply 'intelligent'; it connotes an applied, often practical, competence (unlike σοφός, which emphasizes wisdom, or διδάσκαλος, which strictly means teacher). Most English translations use 'expert,' 'knowledgeable,' or 'learned,' though 'endued with knowledge' may reflect a more theological tradition; the contextual sense is often closer to 'skilled' or 'expert.' Not common in the New Testament and more frequently found as a technical term in moral or professional domains in broader Hellenistic literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπίσταμαι; intelligent:--endued with knowledge.
Root Family
ἐπιστήμων (epistēmōn) — to know, to understand, to be skilled
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1990-01 |
ἐπιστήμων | epistemon | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
understanding | skilled one | skilled one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1990-01 |
James 3:13 | ἐπιστήμων | epistemon | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
understanding | skilled one | skilled one |