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ἐπιτυγχάνω

epitynchánō

G2013 verb

SILEX Entry

Root τυγχ- to meet, to obtain, to attain, to chance upon

Definition

To encounter or come upon something or someone, generally by effort, seeking, or circumstance; to obtain or to attain an object, outcome, or favor. In classical and Koine contexts, can indicate achieving a desired result, finding by pursuit, or gaining what is sought. Semantic range includes the ideas of obtaining through effort, achieving, encountering, or successfully reaching a goal or object.

Semantic Range

to succeed in obtaining, to attaina goal or object, to receive (upon request), to encounter successfully, to chance upon, to obtain by effort or pursuit

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἐπί (upon, on, toward) and the verb τυγχάνω (to happen to, meet, hit the mark). The compound strengthens the idea of happening upon or attaining something, emphasizing successful outcome or purposive attainment.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐπιτυγχάνω is used for both accidental and intentional attainment, such as hitting a target or obtaining a result. In Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the term more commonly implies successful attainment, often as a result of request or pursuit (e.g., finding favor, obtaining mercy). It is regularly used in contexts where the subject actively seeks or asks for something (such as 'to obtain mercy' or 'to receive a promise'). English translations sometimes render it as 'obtain,' 'attain,' or 'find,' but these do not always capture the nuance of an encounter or receipt actively pursued or requested. The connotation is more active and goal-oriented than terms suggesting mere happenstance. Related to τυγχάνω, which can mean simply to happen or occur, but ἐπιτυγχάνω adds the sense of success or directed outcome. Not a frequent term in the NT, but carries a specific meaning of successful, often favorable, attainment when it appears.

Translation Consistency

primary "obtain" 1 occurrence

Obtain best covers the primary SILEX range — to get or gain something (often through effort, seeking, or by request) and can naturally render both 'attain' and 'receive' senses. It matches common NT usage and the recorded P2 renderings while remaining natural English.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"attained" (4x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπί and τυγχάνω; to chance upon, i.e. (by implication) to attain:--obtain.

Root Family

ἐπιτυγχάνω (epitynchanō) — to meet, to obtain, to attain, to chance upon

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2013-01 ἐπέτυχεν epetuchen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG obtained attained attained 3
G2013-02 ἐπέτυχον epetuchon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL obtained they attained they attained 1
G2013-03 ἐπιτυχεῖν epituchein V AOR ACT INF to obtain to attain to obtain 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2013-01 Romans 11:7 ἐπέτυχεν epetuchen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG obtained attained attained
G2013-01 Romans 11:7 ἐπέτυχεν epetuchen-2 V AOR ACT IND 3P SG obtained attained attained
G2013-01 Hebrews 6:15 ἐπέτυχεν epetuchen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he obtained attained attained
G2013-02 Hebrews 11:33 ἐπέτυχον epetuchon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL obtained they attained they attained
G2013-03 James 4:2 ἐπιτυχεῖν epituchein V AOR ACT INF to obtain to attain to obtain
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