ἐπιχέω
epichéō
G2022 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To pour something upon or over (a surface, person, or object); specifically, to cause a liquid or material to flow so as to cover, anoint, or drench. In some contexts, may refer more generally to lavishly bestowing, smearing, or showering upon, particularly as part of ritual or symbolic act.
Semantic Range
to pour (a liquid or substance) upon, to anoint or smear by pouring, to lavish or bestow abundantly, to drench, to offer a libation, to thoroughly cover with liquid
Root / Etymology
From the preposition ἐπί ('upon') and the verb χέω ('to pour'). The compound construction indicates the direction or target of the pouring action.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐπιχέω was employed for a broad range of pouring actions, including domestic, culinary, and ritual contexts (pouring oil on food, libations upon altars, or pouring substances out as offerings). In later Hellenistic and Koine Greek (including the Septuagint and New Testament), it often appears in the context of ritual actions—such as anointing with oil, pouring out liquids as offerings, or symbolically covering someone or something. The nuance is typically determined by what is poured (oil, water, wine) and upon whom or what it is poured (person, altar, object). English translations like 'pour upon' or 'pour out on' generally convey the surface meaning, but may obscure the ritual or honorific nuance present in many ancient uses. In the Septuagint, it is used both in mundane situations (e.g., pouring water) and sacred ritual acts (e.g., anointing with oil). In the New Testament, the term is rare but maintains this sense of directed outpouring, sometimes with a metaphorical element (e.g., divine outpouring).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί and (to pour); --to pour upon:--pour in.
Root Family
ἐπιχέω (epicheō) — to pour, to cause to flow upon, to drench, to anoint by pouring
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2022-01 |
ἐπιχέων | epicheon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
pouring | one pouring upon | pouring upon | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2022-01 |
Luke 10:34 | ἐπιχέων | epicheon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
pouring | one pouring upon | pouring upon |