1959. epimeleomai
Lexical Summary
epimeleomai: To care for, to take care of, to look after

Original Word: ἐπιμελέομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epimeleomai
Pronunciation: eh-pee-mel-eh'-om-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-mel-eh'-om-ahee)
KJV: take care of
NASB: take care, took care
Word Origin: [middle voice from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and the same as G3199 (μέλω - concerned)]

1. to care for (physically or otherwise)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
take care of.

Middle voice from epi and the same as melo; to care for (physically or otherwise) -- take care of.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK melo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from epi and meló
Definition
to take care of
NASB Translation
take care (2), took care (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1959: ἐπιμελέομαι

ἐπιμελέομαι, ἐπιμελοῦμαι, and ἐπιμέλομαι: future ἐπιμελήσομαι; 1 aorist ἐπεμελήθην; with the genitive of the object, to take care of a person or thing (ἐπί denoting direction of the mind toward the object cared for (cf. ἐπί, D. 2)): Luke 10:34; 1 Timothy 3:5. (Genesis 44:21; 1 Macc. 11:37; 1 Esdr. 6:26; used by Greek writers especially of prose from Herodotus down.)

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Conceptual Scope

The verb ἐπιμελέομαι describes purposeful, ongoing attention to another’s needs—care that is both practical and protective. It connotes more than momentary sympathy; the caregiver assumes responsibility until the need is fully addressed.

Occurrences in the New Testament

Luke 10:34 – The Samaritan “took care of him.”
Luke 10:35 – “Take care of him.”
1 Timothy 3:5 – “How will he care for the church of God?”

Narrative Significance in Luke 10

The Good Samaritan parable anchors the word in compassionate action. The Samaritan moves beyond initial aid, returning the next day to ensure continued care. This illustrates neighbor-love that transcends ethnic boundaries and models Christ-like mercy.

Pastoral Implications in 1 Timothy 3

Paul links household leadership to oversight of the local church. Effective care for family displays character and skill transferable to shepherding God’s people. The term implies vigilance, relational investment, and sustained engagement—qualities essential for elders.

Historical and Cultural Background

In the first-century Mediterranean world, inns offered minimal security. Travelers depended on patrons who would “care for” them, covering costs and advocating for their wellbeing. Likewise, household heads were expected to manage resources and protect dependents. The New Testament appropriates this cultural vocabulary to describe kingdom ethics and church governance.

Theological Emphasis

1. Reflection of Divine Care: God “cares” for His flock (compare Ezekiel 34:11-16). Human caregivers mirror His shepherd-heart.
2. Integration of Compassion and Stewardship: The Samaritan spends personal resources, while the overseer in 1 Timothy guards both doctrine and persons. Care thus unites mercy and management.
3. Christological Foreshadowing: Jesus, the storyteller in Luke, is Himself the ultimate Caregiver who “bears our infirmities” and entrusts believers to continual Spirit-led nurture.

Old Testament Parallels

Psalm 23:1 – “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Proverbs 27:23 – “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks.”

Both passages anticipate the New Testament call to vigilant, sacrificial oversight.

Ministry Applications

1. Benevolence: Churches imitate the Samaritan by sustained aid to the wounded—physical, emotional, or spiritual.
2. Leadership Assessment: Prospective elders should already demonstrate faithful care within their homes and communities.
3. Member-to-Member Responsibility: Every believer is summoned to “look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4), embodying ἐπιμελέομαι in everyday relationships.

Contemporary Relevance

In an age of transient connections, the biblical mandate to “take care” summons Christians to long-term commitment—whether mentoring youth, supporting the elderly, or guarding doctrinal purity. True discipleship requires more than good intentions; it demands intentional, persevering care modeled after the Samaritan and fulfilled in Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
επεμεληθη επεμελήθη ἐπεμελήθη Επιμεληθητι επιμελήθητι Ἐπιμελήθητι επιμελησεται επιμελήσεται ἐπιμελήσεται επιμελού επιμελούμαι epemelethe epemelēthē epemelḗthe epemelḗthē epimelesetai epimelēsetai epimelḗsetai Epimeletheti Epimelēthēti Epimelḗtheti Epimelḗthēti
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Luke 10:34 V-AIP-3S
GRK: πανδοχεῖον καὶ ἐπεμελήθη αὐτοῦ
NAS: him to an inn and took care of him.
KJV: an inn, and took care of him.
INT: an inn and took care of him

Luke 10:35 V-AMP-2S
GRK: καὶ εἶπεν Ἐπιμελήθητι αὐτοῦ καὶ
NAS: and said, 'Take care of him; and whatever
KJV: said unto him, Take care of him; and
INT: and said Take care of him and

1 Timothy 3:5 V-FIM-3S
GRK: ἐκκλησίας θεοῦ ἐπιμελήσεται
NAS: how will he take care of the church
KJV: how shall he take care of the church
INT: [the] church of God will he take care of

Strong's Greek 1959
3 Occurrences


ἐπεμελήθη — 1 Occ.
ἐπιμελήσεται — 1 Occ.
Ἐπιμελήθητι — 1 Occ.

1958
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