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προσπίπτω

prospíptō

G4363 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To fall toward someone or something. In literary and Koine usage, primarily: (1) to physically fall down before or fall at the feet of a person, typically as an act of supplication, reverence, or entreaty (e.g., to prostrate oneself); and (2) in a forceful context, to fall upon or rush toward, potentially with violence or urgency. The basic sense is a physical movement toward or onto a person or object, with a range of possible motives including respect, desperation, or attack.

Semantic Range

to throw oneself at the feet of, to prostrate oneself (in supplication, entreaty, or homage), to fall before (with respect or desperation), to rush upon or fall upon (in attack or sudden violence), to collapse toward

Root / Etymology

From the preposition πρός ('toward, to') and the verb πίπτω ('to fall'). The compound form προσπίπτω literally means 'to fall toward.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, προσπίπτω is attested as meaning to throw oneself at the feet of another, often in contexts of supplication, pleading, or homage—such as petitioners before a ruler. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, this sense continues, and several occurrences in the Septuagint and the New Testament show individuals falling at the feet of Jesus or other figures to beg favor or assistance, displaying not only respect but also urgent petition. The term can also denote a sudden or violent falling upon, for instance in attacks or assaults. While English translations may render προσπίπτω as 'fall down before,' 'prostrate oneself,' or 'rush upon,' the nuance depends on narrative context—either marked reverence or urgent, sometimes even aggressive approach. It is distinct from other prostration verbs (e.g., προσκυνέω), which more specifically denote acts of worship or ritual homage, whereas προσπίπτω centers on the movement and posture of falling or throwing oneself toward another, often motivated by a critical need or strong emotion.

Translation Consistency

primary "fall" 8 occurrences

‘Fall’ is the most natural, versatile English verb that captures the primary sense of προσπίπτω — physically moving toward and down before someone (e.g. ‘fall at his feet’) and also accommodates forceful senses (‘fall upon’). It is common in translations, fits the typical usages (prostrate, collapse, rush upon) without sounding overly formal, and supports consistent inflection across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πρός and πίπτω; to fall towards, i.e. (gently) prostrate oneself (in supplication or homage), or (violently) to rush upon (in storm):--beat upon, fall (down) at (before).

Root Family

προσπίπτω (prospiptō) — to fall toward, to fall upon, to prostrate oneself

Root προσπίπτ- to fall, to rush toward, to prostrate oneself

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4363-02 προσέπεσεν prosepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell down fell toward fell down 5
G4363-03 προσέπιπτον prosepipton V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they fell down before they were falling toward they were falling toward 1
G4363-04 προσπεσοῦσα prospesousa V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG having fallen down before having fallen toward having fallen down before 1
G4363-01 προσέπεσαν prosepesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL beat upon they fell upon fell upon 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4363-01 Matthew 7:25 προσέπεσαν prosepesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL beat upon they fell upon fell upon
G4363-03 Mark 3:11 προσέπιπτον prosepipton V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they fell down before they were falling toward they were falling toward
G4363-02 Mark 5:33 προσέπεσεν prosepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell down fell toward fell down
G4363-02 Mark 7:25 προσέπεσεν prosepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell down fell toward fell down
G4363-02 Luke 5:8 προσέπεσεν prosepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell down fell toward fell down before
G4363-02 Luke 8:28 προσέπεσεν prosepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he fell down fell toward he fell toward
G4363-04 Luke 8:47 προσπεσοῦσα prospesousa V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG having fallen down before having fallen toward having fallen down before
G4363-02 Acts 16:29 προσέπεσεν prosepesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fell down fell toward fell down
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