Lexical Summary epikeimai: To lie upon, to be laid upon, to press upon, to be imposed Original Word: ἐπίκειμαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance impose, press upon. From epi and keimai; to rest upon (literally or figuratively) -- impose, be instant, (be) laid (there-, up-)on, (when) lay (on), lie (on), press upon. see GREEK epi see GREEK keimai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epi and keimai Definition to lie on NASB Translation am under (1), assailing (1), imposed (1), insistent (1), lying (1), placed (1), pressing around (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1945: ἐπίκειμαιἐπίκειμαι; imperfect ἐπεκειμην; to lie upon or over, rest upon, be laid or placed upon; a. properly: ἐπί τίνι, John 11:38; namely, on the burning coals, John 21:9. b. figuratively, α. of things: of the pressure of a violent tempest, χειμῶνος ἐπικειμένου, Acts 27:20 (Plutarch, Timol. 28, 7); ἀνάγκη μοι ἐπίκειται, is laid upon me, 1 Corinthians 9:16 (Homer, Iliad 6, 458); ἐπικείμενα, of observances imposed on a man by law, Hebrews 9:10 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 635 (589)]. β. of men; to press upon, to be urgent: with the dative of person Luke 5:1; ἐπέκειντο αἰτούμενοι, Luke 23:23 (πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἐπέκειτο ἀξιῶν, Josephus, Antiquities 18, 6, 6; μᾶλλον ἐπέκειντο βλασφημοῦντες, 20, 5, 3). STRONGS NT 1945a: ἐπικέλλωἐπικέλλω: (1 aorist ἐπεκειλα); to run a ship ashore, to bring to land; so from Homer, Odyssey 9, 148 down; ἐπέκειλαν (R G ἐπώκειλαν) τήν ναῦν, Acts 27:41 L T Tr WH; but in opposition see Meyer at the passage (Cf. B. D. American edition, p. 3009.) STRONGS NT 1945b: ἐπικεφάλαιον [ἐπικεφάλαιον, ἐπικεφαλαιου, τό, head-money, poll-tax, (Aristotle, oec. 2, p. 1346{a}, 4 and 1348{a}, 32): Mark 12:14 WH (rejected) marginal reading for κῆνσον (others). The verb ἐπικεῖμαι appears seven times, spanning narrative, epistolary, and homiletical contexts. It conveys an object, force, obligation, or danger that “lies upon,” “presses,” or “is imposed.” The contexts move from literal weight (stones, fish) to moral urgency (gospel preaching) and even to covenantal regulations (Mosaic rites), illustrating a spectrum of pressure—physical, social, spiritual, and eschatological. Physical Weight and Presence • John 11:38 records the stone that “was laid against it” at Lazarus’ tomb—a tangible barrier no one present could remove except Christ, prefiguring His authority over death. These material uses remind the reader that divine power routinely enters mundane settings, turning ordinary objects into sign-posts of resurrection life and fellowship. Crowd Pressure and Human Insistence • Luke 5:1: “the crowd pressing in on Him to hear the word of God” highlights hunger for truth that can constrict personal space, yet never constrains the Lord’s compassion. In both verses collective desire (noble or wicked) bears down on the central Figure of redemption, showing His readiness to meet genuine spiritual thirst and His resolve to submit to the Father’s salvific plan despite hostile insistence. Imposed Ceremonial Regulations Hebrews 9:10 speaks of “external regulations imposed until the time of reform.” Here ἐπικεῖμαι frames the entire ceremonial code as a temporary burden that foreshadows Christ. The verb’s force accentuates the provisional character of food laws and washings; they “lay upon” Israel until the appointed moment when the true, cleansing Priest arrives. Overhanging Peril at Sea Acts 27:20 situates the word in a maritime disaster: “neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and the great storm continued to batter us.” The storm “pressing upon” the crew depicts a relentless, inescapable threat. Paul’s calm assurance amid that weight demonstrates faith under duress and anticipates divine deliverance. The Moral Necessity of Gospel Proclamation In 1 Corinthians 9:16 Paul confesses, “necessity is laid upon me; woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” The verb intensifies his sense of divine compulsion. Gospel ministry is not optional philanthropy but a sacred charge that rests upon every herald of Christ. This use moves ἐπικεῖμαι from external circumstance to internal vocation, showing that the heaviest burden can also be the greatest privilege. Theological Trajectory 1. Creation and Providence: Physical objects “rest upon” the created order in obedience to divine command (John 11:38; John 21:9). Ministry Implications • Expectational Pressure: Teachers and pastors may feel the crowd’s weight for the Word; faithful exposition answers that need. Summary ἐπικεῖμαι traces a line from objects resting on tombs and fires, through crowds and storms that weigh on people, to the holy burden of preaching and the passing weight of old-covenant ordinances. Whether the pressure is material, social, or spiritual, Scripture consistently reveals the Lord who bears every load and, in turn, lays upon His servants a joyful, liberating obligation to proclaim His victory. Englishman's Concordance Luke 5:1 V-PNM/PGRK: τὸν ὄχλον ἐπικεῖσθαι αὐτῷ καὶ NAS: the crowd was pressing around Him and listening KJV: the people pressed upon him INT: the crowd pressed on him also Luke 23:23 V-IIM/P-3P John 11:38 V-IIM/P-3S John 21:9 V-PPM/P-ANS Acts 27:20 V-PPM/P-GMS 1 Corinthians 9:16 V-PIM/P-3S Hebrews 9:10 V-PPM/P-NNP Strong's Greek 1945 |
    |