Lexical Summary empiptó: To fall into, to fall upon Original Word: ἐμπίπτω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fall into. From en and pipto; to fall on, i.e. (literally) to be entrapped by, or (figuratively) be overwhelmed with -- fall among (into). see GREEK en see GREEK pipto NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and piptó Definition to fall into NASB Translation fall (5), falls (1), fell (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1706: ἐμπίπτωἐμπίπτω (see ἐν, III. 3); future ἐμπεσοῦμαι; 2 aorist ἐνέπεσον; (from Homer down); to fall into: εἰς βόθυνον, Matthew 12:11, and L text T Tr WH in Luke 6:39; εἰς φρέαρ, Luke 14:5 (R G); to fall among robbers, εἰς τούς λῃστάς, Luke 10:36, and in metaphorical phrases, 1 Timothy 3:6; 1 Timothy 6:9; εἰς χεῖρας τίνος, into one's power: τοῦ Θεοῦ, to incur divine penalties, Hebrews 10:31, as in 2 Samuel 24:14; 1 Chronicles 21:13; Sir. 2:18. Topical Lexicon Overview The Greek verb rendered “fall into” provides vivid pictures of sudden descent, peril, and helplessness. Across its seven New Testament appearances, the word moves from the literal misfortune of an animal sliding into a pit to the weighty possibility of a person plunging under divine judgment. The imagery unites physical mishap, moral failure, and eschatological dread, urging readers to recognize danger early, extend mercy swiftly, and walk humbly before God. Biblical Occurrences • Matthew 12:11 – A sheep that “falls into a pit” on the Sabbath highlights the priority of mercy over ritual, underscoring the Lord’s desire to rescue whatever has descended into danger. • Luke 6:39 – Two blind men “will… both fall into a pit,” warning teachers and disciples alike that spiritual blindness shared is disaster multiplied. • Luke 10:36 – The traveler who “fell into the hands of robbers” sets the stage for the Good Samaritan, illustrating human vulnerability and neighborly obligation. • Hebrews 10:31 – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” elevates the verb from earthly calamity to the ultimate reality of judgment. • 1 Timothy 3:6, 3:7 – Twice applied to overseers who might “fall under the same judgment as the devil” or “fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil,” cautioning that leadership carries unique exposure to spiritual pitfalls. • 1 Timothy 6:9 – Those craving riches “fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction,” revealing the moral gravity of unchecked covetousness. Contexts of Danger and Deliverance Scripture employs the verb in two primary contexts: 1. Physical or situational danger (Matthew 12:11; Luke 6:39; Luke 10:36). In each case, falling is never presented as destiny’s random stroke but as a circumstance calling for either compassionate rescue or sober repentance. The faithful are summoned to act as shepherds and Samaritans toward the endangered, while simultaneously guarding their own hearts lest they tumble into sin’s abyss. Moral and Spiritual Pitfalls Paul’s repeated use in 1 Timothy exposes the subtle progression from desire to downfall: pride (3:6), public disgrace (3:7), then spiritual ruin (6:9). The verb frames temptation not merely as enticement but as a concealed pit. The unsuspecting stroll until the ground gives way beneath them. This portrayal aligns with Proverbs’ warnings about hidden snares and with Jesus’ teaching that the broad road “leads to destruction.” Judgment and the Holy Fear of God Hebrews 10:31 crowns the word with eschatological weight: “a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Here “fall into” conveys the inescapable grip of divine justice on those who trample the Son of God. The letter’s original readers—tempted to abandon Christ—receive a sober reminder that apostasy ends not in mere misfortune but in the active, holy retribution of God Himself. The verb thus bridges temporal missteps and eternal consequences. Ministry Qualifications and Disgrace Paul’s guidance for overseers rests on the realism that gifted yet immature leaders are susceptible to pride, and pride precedes a fall. Spiritual authority magnifies both impact and liability. By repeating the verb, Paul stresses that the church must prevent leaders from toppling rather than attempting to rehabilitate a collapsed witness later. Accountability structures, seasoned mentorship, and public integrity safeguard both shepherd and flock. Compassionate Response to the Fallen Jesus’ Sabbath question (Matthew 12:11) and His Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10:36) root mercy in God’s character. Whether rescuing an animal or an assaulted traveler, the righteous do not debate worthiness; they act. James echoes the impulse: “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back…” Saving a soul from death embodies the same ethos. The church, therefore, functions as a rescue community, lowering ropes into pits and binding wounds on the roadside. Relation to Old Testament Imagery The Septuagint frequently describes enemies “falling into” pits they dug (Psalm 7:15) or the wicked “falling into” calamity (Proverbs 28:10). The New Testament continues this motif but intensifies it: whereas Old Testament pits often symbolize temporal judgment, Hebrews places the ultimate pit within God’s hands. The continuity affirms that God’s moral order remains unchanged while the revelation of its consummation sharpens in Christ. Historical Interpretation Early Christian writers drew on Hebrews 10:31 to exhort perseverance amid persecution. Tertullian warned defectors from the faith that though they sought to escape Roman hands, they risked falling into God’s. Chrysostom expounded Luke 6:39 to admonish bishops against doctrinal negligence: “The fall of one blind man is lamentable; the fall of a blind guide with his blind flock is catastrophe.” Throughout church history, the verb thus served both pastoral and polemical ends, guarding orthodoxy and urging holiness. Practical Application for the Church Today 1. Discernment in Leadership – Churches must test candidates for spiritual maturity lest pride precipitate a fall that harms the body and dishonors Christ. Summary From sheep in a ditch to sinners before a holy God, the verb translated “fall into” traces the descent from vulnerability to peril. Scripture harnesses this imagery to reveal the precariousness of life, the gravity of sin, and the breadth of divine mercy. The call is clear: recognize pits before you reach them, rescue those who have, and revere the God into whose hands none can fall unscathed apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations εμπεπτωκότας εμπεσειν εμπεσείν ἐμπεσεῖν εμπεσείται εμπεση εμπεσή εμπέση ἐμπέσῃ εμπεσοντος εμπεσόντος ἐμπεσόντος εμπεσούμαι εμπεσουνται ἐμπεσοῦνται εμπέσω εμπέσωμεν εμπίπτει εμπιπτουσιν εμπίπτουσιν ἐμπίπτουσιν εμπιστευθήσεσθε εμπιστεύσατε εμπλατύνει εμπλατύνη εμπλάτυνον εμπλατύνω εμπλατύνων εμπλατύνωσι ενέπεσαν ενέπεσεν ενέπεσον ενεπιστεύσατε empese empesē empései empésēi empesein empeseîn empesontos empesóntos empesountai empesoûntai empiptousin empíptousinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 12:11 V-ASA-3SGRK: καὶ ἐὰν ἐμπέσῃ τοῦτο τοῖς NAS: and if it falls into a pit KJV: if it fall into a pit INT: and if fall this on the Luke 6:39 V-FIM-3P Luke 10:36 V-APA-GMS 1 Timothy 3:6 V-ASA-3S 1 Timothy 3:7 V-ASA-3S 1 Timothy 6:9 V-PIA-3P Hebrews 10:31 V-ANA Strong's Greek 1706 |
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