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ἀναπίπτω

anapíptō

G377 verb

SILEX Entry

Root πιπτ- to fall, to lie down, to recline

Definition

To recline or lean back, especially in the context of positioning oneself on a couch or at a meal. In various contexts, it may denote the act of lying down, resting, or assuming a reclining posture. Most commonly in Greco-Roman and New Testament contexts, it refers to reclining at a meal as was customary at formal banquets.

Semantic Range

to fall back, to recline (at table), to lie down, to lean back, to assume a reclining posture at a meal

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἀνά ('up, back, again') and the verb πίπτω ('to fall'); thus, literally, 'to fall back' or 'to fall up/backwards.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ἀναπίπτω can mean 'to fall back,' 'to lie down,' or 'to recline.' By the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the act of reclining during meals became a cultural marker of formal banqueting customs among elites. In the New Testament, the verb is predominantly used in the context of reclining at a meal, reflecting Greco-Roman dining practices rather than merely sitting (contrasting with modern customs). Standard English translations like 'sit down' (e.g., 'sit down to eat') may obscure the ancient social significance of the posture, as participants would lean on pillows or couches. The verb is generally distinguished from καθίζω ('to sit') and other verbs implying merely sitting upright. The Septuagint uses ἀναπίπτω rarely, but when it does, the context is also that of resting or reclining. There is no significant difference in usage between the Synoptic Gospels and Johannine literature; all employ the term to describe meal posture, especially at Passover or festival meals.

Translation Consistency

primary "recline" 11 occurrences

In NT and Greco‑Roman contexts the verb most often denotes assuming a reclining posture—especially at a meal. "Recline" is natural English, fits the usual banquet sense while also covering related senses (lean back, lie down) without the ambiguity of "lie." It matches the attested renderings (reclined/recline) and will produce consistent, idiomatic translations.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀνά and πίπτω; to fall back, i.e. lie down, lean back:--lean, sit down (to meat).

Root Family

ἀναπίπτω (anapiptō) — to fall, to lie down, to recline, to lean back

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G377-04 ἀνέπεσεν anepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG reclined fell back he reclined 4
G377-02 ἀναπεσεῖν anapesein V AOR ACT INF to sit down to recline to recline 3
G377-03 ἀνέπεσαν anepesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL sat down they reclined they reclined 2
G377-01 ἀνάπεσε anapese V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG sit down Recline recline 2

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G377-02 Matthew 15:35 ἀναπεσεῖν anapesein V AOR ACT INF to sit down to recline to recline
G377-03 Mark 6:40 ἀνέπεσαν anepesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they sat down they reclined they reclined
G377-02 Mark 8:6 ἀναπεσεῖν anapesein V AOR ACT INF to sit down to recline to recline
G377-04 Luke 11:37 ἀνέπεσεν anepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG reclined fell back he reclined
G377-01 Luke 14:10 ἀνάπεσε anapese V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG sit down Recline recline
G377-01 Luke 17:7 ἀνάπεσε anapese V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG sit down Recline recline
G377-04 Luke 22:14 ἀνέπεσεν anepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG He reclined fell back he reclined
G377-02 John 6:10 ἀναπεσεῖν anapesein V AOR ACT INF sit down to recline to recline
G377-03 John 6:10 ἀνέπεσαν anepesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL sat down they reclined they reclined
G377-04 John 13:12 ἀνέπεσεν anepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG reclined fell back he reclined
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