1963. epinoia

Lexicon

epinoia: Thought, intention, purpose

Original Word: ἐπίνοια
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: epinoia
Pronunciation: eh-PEE-noi-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-in'-oy-ah)
Definition: Thought, intention, purpose
Meaning: thought, purpose, design, intent.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

thought, intention

From epi and nous; attention of the mind, i.e. (by implication) purpose -- thought.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK nous

HELPS Word-studies

1963 epínoia (from 1909 /epí, "on, fitting" and 3563 /noús, "mind") – properly, intent, i.e. what is on the mind and where this leads to (note the epi, "builds on").

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from epi and nous
Definition
a thought, design
NASB Translation
intention (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1963: ἐπίνοια

ἐπίνοια, ἐπινοίας, ἡ (ἐπινοέω to think on, devise), thought, purpose: Acts 8:22. (Jeremiah 20:10; Wis. 6:17, etc.; often in Greek writings from Sophocles and Thucydides down.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from ἐπί (epi, meaning "upon" or "on") and νοῦς (nous, meaning "mind" or "intellect").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἐπίνοια, similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words related to thought and intention, such as:

- H4284 מַחֲשָׁבָה (machashabah): Meaning "thought" or "plan," often used to describe the intentions or plans of the heart.
- H3629 כּוּן (kun): Meaning "to establish" or "to prepare," which can imply the preparation of thoughts or intentions.

These Hebrew terms, like ἐπίνοια, emphasize the importance of the mind and heart in determining one's actions and moral standing before God.

Usage: The word ἐπίνοια is used in the context of mental processes, particularly in forming intentions or plans. It is not frequently found in the New Testament but is significant in understanding the mindset or purpose behind actions.

Context: The Greek term ἐπίνοια, translated as "intention" or "purpose," is a concept that underscores the importance of the mind's role in shaping actions and decisions. In the New Testament, the mind is often depicted as the battleground for spiritual and moral decisions, and ἐπίνοια highlights the deliberative aspect of human thought. This term suggests a level of intentionality and premeditation, indicating that actions are not merely impulsive but are often the result of careful consideration and planning.

In the broader biblical context, the concept of intention is crucial for understanding moral and ethical teachings. The Bible frequently emphasizes that God judges not only actions but also the intentions of the heart. For instance, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that harboring anger or lustful thoughts is akin to committing the acts themselves, thus highlighting the significance of one's internal intentions (Matthew 5:21-28, BSB).

While ἐπίνοια itself may not appear extensively in the New Testament, its underlying concept is woven throughout biblical teachings, emphasizing the need for believers to align their thoughts and intentions with God's will. This alignment is seen as essential for living a life that is pleasing to God and reflective of His character.

Forms and Transliterations

επινοια επίνοια ἐπίνοια επίνοιαν επινυστάξης επιξενωθήσεται epinoia epínoia

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 8:22 N-NFS
GRK: σοι ἡ ἐπίνοια τῆς καρδίας
NAS: possible, the intention of your heart
KJV: if perhaps the thought of thine heart
INT: to you the thought of the heart

Strong's Greek 1963
1 Occurrence

ἐπίνοια — 1 Occ.