2036

Lexical Summary

eipen: said

Original Word: εἶπεν
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: eipen
Pronunciation: AY-pen
Phonetic Spelling: (ep'-o)
KJV: answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell
Word Origin: [a primary verb]

1. to speak or say (by word or writing)
{(used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from G2046, G4483, and G5346)}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

answer, bid, bring word, command

A primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ereo, rheo, and phemi); to speak or say (by word or writing) -- answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare lego.

see GREEK ereo

see GREEK rheo

see GREEK phemi

see GREEK lego

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2036: ἐπω

ἐπω, see εἶπον.

Topical Lexicon

Form and Function

εἶπεν appears hundreds of times as the simple narrative verb “he said,” introducing direct speech. Within the flow of a passage it signals that what follows carries full authority and must be heard as the decisive word in that moment.

Distribution in the Canon

The form is concentrated in the narrative books—especially the four Gospels and Acts—where dialogue drives the account of redemption. It also surfaces in epistolary and apocalyptic contexts whenever Scripture, God, Christ, angels, prophets, or apostles are quoted.

Divine Speech and Revelation

When God’s own voice is reported, εἶπεν underlines the immediacy of revelation:
• Matthew 3:17 – “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”
• Acts 9:11 – “ ‘Get up!’ the Lord told him, ‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street…’ ”
• Revelation 21:6 – “And He said to me, ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega…’”

Christological Emphasis

The evangelists repeatedly mark Jesus’ words with εἶπεν to show His sovereign authority. His speech commands nature (Mark 4:39), raises the dead (John 11:43), forgives sin (Luke 5:20-24), instructs disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and completes redemption (John 19:30).

Miraculous Power of the Spoken Word

• Mark 4:39 – “ ‘Quiet! Be still!’ He said. And the wind died down.”
• Luke 7:14 – “ ‘Young man, I tell you, get up!’ ”

These examples illustrate that the verbal command itself—indicated by εἶπεν—accomplishes what is spoken.

Prophetic and Apostolic Citation of Scripture

New Testament writers employ εἶπεν when introducing Old Testament quotation, affirming the unity of the canon:
• Romans 9:15 – “For He says to Moses: ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy…’”
• Acts 2:16 – “No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.”

Angel and Heavenly Communication

Heavenly messengers also use words marked by εἶπεν, demonstrating that angels serve the redemptive plan through speech:
• Luke 1:30 – “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary…’”
• Luke 2:10 – “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news…’”

Dialogues of Faith

Human responses to divine initiative are framed with εἶπεν, whether in doubt (John 20:25), confession (John 20:28), or surrender (Luke 1:38). These dialogues model appropriate—or inappropriate—responses to God’s word.

Eschatological Pronouncements

Jesus’ end-time discourse is punctuated by εἶπεν, underscoring the certainty of His prophetic outlook (Matthew 24:2; Luke 21:6). Revelation likewise records future-oriented declarations (Revelation 22:7).

Historical and Cultural Context

First-century Mediterranean culture prized oral communication. Writers therefore preserved spoken words with care, confident that the Spirit-guided record would transmit exactly what had been said (John 14:26).

Implications for Ministry and Preaching

1. The preacher is reminded that proclamation is a primary divine medium.
2. The congregation is urged to give full weight to every recorded utterance of God, Christ, prophets, and apostles.
3. Faithful ministry follows the pattern: Scripture says; therefore we believe and obey.

Doctrinal Significance

Because εἶπεν introduces words that are living and active, its presence assures readers that Scripture is not mere historical record but the ongoing voice of God. The form’s ubiquity anchors doctrines of inspiration, inerrancy, and sufficiency: what was once spoken remains binding and life-giving today.

Forms and Transliterations

γαρ είπα είπά είπαμεν είπαν είπάν έιπαν είπας είπάς είπατε είπατέ ειπάτω ειπάτωσαν ειπε ειπέ είπε είπέ ειπείν ειπεν είπεν εἶπεν είπενσηε είπη ειπης είπης εἴπης είπητε είπητέ είποι είποιεν είποιμι ειπον ειπόν είπον είπόν ειπόντα ειπόντας ειπόντες ειπόντι ειποντος ειπόντος εἰπόντος ειπούσα ειπούση είπω είπωμεν ειπών είπων είπωσι είπωσί είπωσιν εκπωμίδα επωμίδα επωμίδας επωμίδες επωμίδος επωμίδων επωρύοντο ερασταί ερασταίς εραστάς εραστών ερείς ρηθήσεται eipen eîpen eipes eipēs eípes eípēs eipontos eipóntos

Englishman's Concordance

ἐπουράνια — 3 Occ.
ἐπουρανίῳ — 1 Occ.
ἐπουρανίων — 3 Occ.
ἐπουράνιοι — 1 Occ.
ἐπουρανίοις — 5 Occ.
ἐπουράνιον — 1 Occ.
ἐπουράνιος — 1 Occ.
ἐπουρανίου — 4 Occ.
ἑπτὰ — 88 Occ.
ἑπτάκις — 4 Occ.
Ἔραστον — 1 Occ.
Ἔραστος — 2 Occ.
ἠργάσατο — 3 Occ.
ἠργάζετο — 1 Occ.
εἰργασάμεθα — 1 Occ.
εἰργάσαντο — 1 Occ.
εἰργασμένα — 1 Occ.
ἐργάσῃ — 1 Occ.
ἐργάζῃ — 1 Occ.
ἐργάζεσθαι — 6 Occ.