Lexicon epispaomai: To draw over, to pull over, to cover Original Word: ἐπισπάομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance become uncircumcised. From epi and spao; to draw over, i.e. (with akrobustia implied) efface the mark of circumcision (by recovering with the foreskin) -- become uncircumcised. see GREEK epi see GREEK spao see GREEK akrobustia Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1986: ἐπισπάωἐπισπάω, ἐπίσπω: from Aeschylus down; to draw on: μή ἐπισπάσθω, namely, ἀκροβυστίαν, let him not draw on his foreskin (Hesychius μή ἐπισπάσθω. Μή ἑλκυέτω τό δέρμα) (A. V. let him not become uncircumcised), 1 Corinthians 7:18. From the days of Antiochus Epiphanes ( STRONGS NT 1986a: ἐπισπείρωἐπισπείρω: 1 aorist ἐπεσπειρα; to sow above or besides: Matthew 13:25 L T Tr WH. (Herodotus, Theophrastus, (others).) Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἐπισπάομαι, as the concept of reversing circumcision is not addressed in the Hebrew Scriptures. However, discussions of circumcision itself can be linked to Strong's Hebrew entries such as H4135 מוּל (mûl), which means "to circumcise." Usage: The term ἐπισπάομαι is used in the New Testament to describe the act of attempting to reverse circumcision, a practice that was sometimes undertaken by Jewish men in the Greco-Roman world to assimilate into non-Jewish society and avoid social stigma. Context: The term ἐπισπάομαι appears in the New Testament in the context of discussions about circumcision and the cultural pressures faced by early Christians, particularly those of Jewish heritage. In 1 Corinthians 7:18, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue directly: "Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised." (BSB). Here, Paul emphasizes that physical circumcision or its reversal is irrelevant to one's standing before God, highlighting the spiritual nature of the Christian faith over physical rituals. The practice of ἐπισπάομαι reflects the tension between maintaining Jewish identity and conforming to the surrounding Hellenistic culture. Paul's teaching encourages believers to focus on their calling in Christ rather than external modifications, promoting a message of spiritual transformation over physical conformity. Englishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 7:18 V-PMM/P-3SGRK: ἐκλήθη μὴ ἐπισπάσθω ἐν ἀκροβυστίᾳ NAS: [when he was already] circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone KJV: not become uncircumcised. Is INT: was called not let him be uncircumcised in uncircumcision |
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