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πίπτω

píptō

G4098 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to fall (from a higher to a lower position), in both literal and figurative senses: (1) to descend from or collapse to a lower place, whether physically (as of persons, objects, or buildings) or metaphorically (as of position, status, or favor); (2) to perish, die, or come to an end; (3) to be overthrown or defeated; (4) to be overcome by emotion, temptation, or calamity; (5) to physically prostrate oneself, as in an act of respect or supplication.

Semantic Range

fall (from a position or place), descend (physically or figuratively), collapse, perish, be destroyed, die, fall in battle, be defeated, fail (in a task or status), prostrate oneself, fall upon or before (as in worship or entreaty), come unexpectedly (as of calamity)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root πίπτ-, likely related to πέτομαι (“to fly”), with a semantic shift from 'to descend' or 'to fall/fly down.' Ancient etymologists connected it with motion from a higher to a lower place. The precise Indo-European origin is debated.

Historical & Contextual Notes

πίπτω is widely attested in classical Greek, where it primarily denotes physical falling but also extends to metaphorical senses like perishing, suffering defeat, or falling in battle. In the Septuagint and New Testament, its semantic range broadens further: to fall in battle (to die), to collapse (of cities or structures), to fall spiritually or morally, to prostrate oneself in reverence or entreaty (e.g., Mark 5:22; Luke 17:16), and as a euphemism for death (e.g., 'fall asleep' for dying). English translations usually render πίπτω as "fall," but do not reflect the breadth of figurative uses. Unlike καταπίπτω (to fall down completely, to collapse), πίπτω retains the basic sense of "going from a higher to lower position," whether physical, social, or existential. The verb contrasts with ἀνίστημι (to rise, to stand up) and is often paired with metaphorical language describing reversals of fortune or status. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, πίπτω can indicate moral or spiritual decline as well as literal collapse or defeat.

Translation Consistency

primary "fall" 90 occurrences

“Fall” is the most natural, flexible English verb to cover the full SILEX range of píptō: literal descent or collapse, dying/perishing, being overthrown or defeated, being overcome, and prostrating oneself (fall down). It is the common base form from which all tenses and forms can be derived and matches typical usage better than more formal alternatives.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably akin to πέτομαι through the idea of alighting; to fall (literally or figuratively):--fail, fall (down), light on.

Root Family

πίπτω (piptō) — to fall, to collapse, to descend

Root πιπτ- to fall, to collapse, to descend

Word Forms

21 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4098-03 ἔπεσεν epesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell he fell he fell 28
G4098-13 πεσὼν peson V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG falls having fallen having fallen 14
G4098-02 ἔπεσαν epesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL fell they fell they fell 12
G4098-19 πίπτει piptei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG falls falls falls 5
G4098-09 πέσῃ pese V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG it falls he might fall he might fall 5
G4098-01 ἔπεσά epesa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I fell I fell I fell 4
G4098-18 πεσοῦνται pesountai V FUT MID IND 3P PL will fall they will fall they will fall 4
G4098-12 πέσετε pesete V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Fall Fall down Fall down, all of you! 3
G4098-21 πιπτόντων piptonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN N PL crumbs which were falling of falling things of falling things 2
G4098-11 πεσεῖται peseitai V FUT MID IND 3P SG falls will fall will fall 2

Occurrences in Scripture

90 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4098-16 Matthew 2:11 πεσόντες pesontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL falling having fallen having fallen
G4098-13 Matthew 4:9 πεσὼν peson V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG falling down having fallen having fallen
G4098-03 Matthew 7:25 ἔπεσεν epesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell he fell it fell
G4098-03 Matthew 7:27 ἔπεσεν epesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell he fell it fell
G4098-11 Matthew 10:29 πεσεῖται peseitai V FUT MID IND 3P SG will fall will fall will fall
G4098-03 Matthew 13:4 ἔπεσεν epesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell he fell he fell
G4098-03 Matthew 13:5 ἔπεσεν epesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell he fell he fell
G4098-03 Matthew 13:7 ἔπεσεν epesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell he fell he fell
G4098-03 Matthew 13:8 ἔπεσεν epesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell he fell he fell
G4098-18 Matthew 15:14 πεσοῦνται pesountai V FUT MID IND 3P PL will fall they will fall they will fall
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