Lexical Summary ephistémi: To stand upon, to come upon, to approach, to be present, to attack. Original Word: ἐφίστημι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance assault, come unto, be at hand, stand over.From epi and histemi; to stand upon, i.e. Be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal); --assault, come (in, to, unto, upon), be at hand (instant), present, stand (before, by, over). see GREEK epi see GREEK histemi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epi and histémi Definition to set upon, set up, to stand upon, be present NASB Translation appeared (3), attacking (1), came (5), come (3), confronted (1), ready (1), set (1), standing (2), standing near (1), stood (1), stood before (1), stood near (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2186: ἐφίστημιἐφίστημι: 2 aorist ἐπέστην, participle ἐπιστάς, imperative ἐπίστηθι; perfect participle ἐφεστώς; to place at, place upon, place over; in the N. T. only in the middle (present indicative 3 person singular ἐπίσταται (for ἐφίσταται), 1 Thessalonians 5:3 T Tr WH; see references under the word ἀφειδον) and the intransitive tenses of the active, viz. perfect and 2 aorist (see ἀνίστημι); to stand by, be present: Luke 2:38; Acts 22:20; ἐπάνω with the genitive of person to stand over one, place oneself above, Luke 4:39; used especially of persons coming upon one suddenly: simply, Luke 10:40; Luke 20:1; Acts 6:12; Acts 22:13; Acts 23:27; of an angel, Acts 12:7; with the dative of person, Acts 4:1; Acts 23:11; of the advent of angels, Luke 2:9; Luke 24:4 (of Hephaestus, Lucian, dial. deor. 17, 1; frequently of dreams, as Homer, Iliad 10, 496; 23, 106; Herodotus 1, 34; others); with the dative of place, Acts 17:5; followed by ἐπί; with the accusative of place, Acts 10:17; Acts 11:11; of evils coming upon one: with the dative of person, 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (see above); ἐπί τινα, Luke 21:34 (Wis. 6:9 Wis. 19:1; Sophocles O. R. 777; Thucydides 3, 82). equivalent to to be at hand i. e. be ready: 2 Timothy 4:2, cf. Leo at the passage (Euripides, Andr. 547; Demosthenes, p. 245, 11). to be at hand i. e. impend: of time, 2 Timothy 4:6. to come on, of rain, Acts 28:2. (Compare: κατεφιστημι, συνεφίστημι.) Topical Lexicon Overview of UsageStrong’s Greek 2186 marks decisive moments when a person, angel, or circumstance “stands over, appears, or presses upon” someone. Of twenty-one New Testament occurrences, fifteen are in Luke–Acts, highlighting Luke’s concern for sudden divine intervention and urgent human response. The remaining uses cluster in Pauline correspondence, where the verb underscores imminent events and the pastor’s readiness. Divine and Angelic Visitations Luke repeatedly uses the term to portray heavenly messengers who arrive unannounced yet unmistakably: • Luke 2:9 – “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” The shepherds’ ordinary night is transformed by the nearness of God, authenticating the Messiah’s birth. • Luke 24:4 – Two men in dazzling apparel “stood beside them,” turning the women’s mourning into resurrection faith. • Acts 12:7 – Peter, chained in Herod’s prison, experiences the same sudden nearness: “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell.” • Acts 23:11 – In a moment of discouragement, “The Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage…’.” The verb links angelic ministry and the risen Lord’s direct comfort, demonstrating continuity between heaven’s help and Christ’s personal care. These episodes illustrate that God often intervenes at the very point when His servants seem most hemmed in, confirming His sovereignty and sustaining their mission. Christ’s Compassionate Presence Luke 4:39 presents Jesus Himself “standing over” Simon’s fevered mother-in-law; He rebukes the fever, and she is immediately restored. The same verb later depicts Martha’s approach (Luke 10:40) and Anna’s arrival to bless the Christ-child (Luke 2:38), underscoring the nearness of salvation in everyday settings. Opposition and Persecution The verb equally describes hostile forces that converge on God’s people: • Luke 20:1 – Religious leaders “came up” while Jesus taught in the temple. • Acts 4:1; 6:12; 17:5 – Priests, mobs, and jealous opponents “came upon” the apostles, attempting to silence the gospel. • Acts 22:20; 23:27 – Paul recalls enemies “standing by” when Stephen was killed and when he himself was seized. Scripture thus portrays spiritual conflict as intense and often sudden, matching the abrupt interventions of God with equally abrupt assaults from adversaries. Advancement of the Gospel In Acts 10:17 and 11:11 men sent by Cornelius “appeared” at Peter’s lodging, providentially linking Jew and Gentile. The verb signals the precise timing by which the Spirit orchestrates evangelistic breakthroughs. Eschatological Warnings Luke 21:34 cautions: “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down… and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a trap.” Likewise 1 Thessalonians 5:3 warns that “sudden destruction comes upon them.” Both passages employ the verb to stress the unexpected onset of the Day of the Lord, urging constant vigilance. Pastoral Readiness and Imminence Paul applies the term to his own ministry and to Timothy’s charge: • 2 Timothy 4:6 – “The time of my departure has come.” The nearness of death motivates final exhortations. • 2 Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season.” Timothy must “stand ready” whether opportunities are obvious or concealed. The verb thus bridges eschatological expectancy and practical ministry alertness. Providential Circumstances Acts 28:2 uses the perfect participle to describe a “pressing” rainstorm and cold that “had set in,” providing the backdrop for island hospitality and Paul’s healing of Publius’ father. Even adverse weather is depicted as suddenly looming, yet serving redemptive ends. Theological Reflections 1. Nearness of God: Every divine appearance reinforces that the Lord is not distant but actively “standing by” His people. 2. Immediacy of Decision: Whether salvation joy or impending judgment, the verb emphasizes moments when delay is impossible. 3. Spiritual Warfare: The same term for angelic aid describes antagonistic forces, highlighting the contested nature of gospel work. 4. Ministerial Urgency: Pastors and believers alike are called to perpetual readiness, mirroring Timothy’s charge. Practical Applications • Cultivate alertness to divine appointments; God often intervenes in unplanned moments. • Expect opposition; sudden hostility is normal for faithful witness. • Anchor hope in Christ’s promised presence; He stands by His servants in prisons, pulpits, and deathbeds alike. • Maintain readiness to serve “in season and out of season,” knowing critical opportunities can arise without warning. Strong’s 2186 ultimately pictures the Lord’s sovereign capacity to arrive, assist, and accomplish His purposes precisely when needed, while summoning His people to watchfulness until His sudden appearing. Forms and Transliterations επεστη επέστη ἐπέστη επέστην επέστησα επεστησαν επέστησαν ἐπέστησαν επεστήσαντο επέστησας επέστησε επέστησεν επισταντες επιστάντες ἐπιστάντες επιστας επιστάς ἐπιστὰς επιστασα επιστάσα ἐπιστᾶσα επιστη επιστή ἐπιστῇ επιστηθι επίστηθι ἐπίστηθι επιστής επιστήσαι επιστήσατε επιστήσει επιστήσεις επιστήσης επιστήσομεν επίστησον επιστήσονται επιστήσω επόψει εφειστήκει εφεσταμένη εφέστηκα εφέστηκε εφεστηκεν εφέστηκεν ἐφέστηκεν εφεστηκόσι εφεστηκώς εφεστός εφεστως εφεστώς ἐφεστὼς εφεστωτα εφεστώτα ἐφεστῶτα εφεστώτι εφίστατο εφίστημι εφοδευσάτωσαν εφοδιάσεις εφόδιον εφορά εφορών εφούδ εφωδιάσθημεν epeste epestē epéste epéstē epestesan epestēsan epéstesan epéstēsan ephesteken ephestēken ephésteken ephéstēken ephestos ephestōs ephestṑs ephestota ephestôta ephestōta ephestō̂ta epistantes epistántes epistas epistàs epistasa epistâsa episte epistē epistêi epistē̂i epistethi epistēthi epístethi epístēthiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 2:9 V-AIA-3SGRK: ἄγγελος Κυρίου ἐπέστη αὐτοῖς καὶ NAS: of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory KJV: of the Lord came upon them, INT: an angel of [the] Lord stood by them and Luke 2:38 V-APA-NFS Luke 4:39 V-APA-NMS Luke 10:40 V-APA-NFS Luke 20:1 V-AIA-3P Luke 21:34 V-ASA-3S Luke 24:4 V-AIA-3P Acts 4:1 V-AIA-3P Acts 6:12 V-APA-NMP Acts 10:17 V-AIA-3P Acts 11:11 V-AIA-3P Acts 12:7 V-AIA-3S Acts 17:5 V-APA-NMP Acts 22:13 V-APA-NMS Acts 22:20 V-RPA-NMS Acts 23:11 V-APA-NMS Acts 23:27 V-APA-NMS Acts 28:2 V-RPA-AMS 1 Thessalonians 5:3 V-PIM/P-3S 2 Timothy 4:2 V-AMA-2S 2 Timothy 4:6 V-RIA-3S Strong's Greek 2186 |
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