ἐπιφέρω

epiphérō

G2018 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To bring or carry upon, to lay or impose upon; to bring forward or present (as evidence or accusation); to inflict or apply something (such as a punishment or consequence); in some contexts, to bring upon as an additional element or condition. The term encompasses the ideas of physically placing something on, metaphorically introducing a new circumstance or accusation, or causing an effect to be imposed on someone or something.

Semantic Range

to bring upon, to inflict (punishment or consequence), to present as accusation, to apply or add something in addition, to introduce evidence or charges, to impose or lay upon

Root / Etymology

From the prepositional prefix ἐπί (upon, on) and φέρω (to bear, carry, bring), yielding a compound meaning 'to bring upon' or 'to lay upon.' No external (non-Greek) origin is evident.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἐπιφέρω commonly referred either to the physical act of bringing or laying something upon another object or, more abstractly, introducing further evidence or a charge, especially in judicial or rhetorical settings. In Septuagint and New Testament usage, it often denotes inflicting consequences, judgments, or accusations—e.g., bringing accusation against someone, bringing wrath or a curse upon a person or people, or superimposing a new element to a prior state. The term does not always suggest hostility; context determines whether it is positive, neutral, or negative. English translation as 'bring against,' 'inflict,' or 'add' is often context-driven and occasionally narrows the scope. Distinguish from related terms such as προσφέρω (to offer, to bring to), which has a more strictly directional sense, and ἐπάγω, frequently used for 'bring upon' in legal or calamity contexts. ἐπιφέρω maintains a broad semantic flexibility in Koine, depending on what is being 'brought upon' (object, accusation, consequence).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπί and φέρω; to bear upon (or further), i.e. adduce (personally or judicially (accuse, inflict)), superinduce:--add, bring (against), take.

Root Family

ἐπιφέρω (epipherō) — to bear, to carry, to bring

Root φέρ- to bear, to carry, to bring

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2018-01 ἐπενεγκεῖν epenegkein V AOR ACT INF to bring to bring upon to bring 1
G2018-02 ἐπιφέρων epipheron V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG inflicts bringing upon bringing upon 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2018-02 Romans 3:5 ἐπιφέρων epipheron V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG inflicts bringing upon bringing upon
G2018-01 Jude 1:9 ἐπενεγκεῖν epenegkein V AOR ACT INF to bring to bring upon to bring