4098. piptó
Lexical Summary
piptó: To fall, to descend, to perish, to fail

Original Word: πίπτω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: piptó
Pronunciation: peep'-to
Phonetic Spelling: (pip'-to)
KJV: fail, fall (down), light on
NASB: fell, fall, fallen, falls, fell down, falling, fall down
Word Origin: [probably akin to G4072 (πέτομαι - flying) through the idea of alighting]

1. to fall
{literally or figuratively}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
fail, fall down

A reduplicated and contracted form of peto (pet'-o); (which occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses); probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall (literally or figuratively) -- fail, fall (down), light on.

see GREEK petomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from a redupl. of the prim. root pet
Definition
to fall
NASB Translation
beat down (1), fail (1), fails (1), fall (15), fall down (2), fallen (8), falling (3), falls (8), fell (46), fell down (6).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4098: πίπτω

πίπτω; (imperfect ἔπιπτον (Mark 14:35 T Tr marginal reading WH)); future πεσοῦμαι; 2 aorist ἔπεσον and according to the Alex. form (received everywhere by Lachmann (except Luke 23:30), Tdf. (except Revelation 6:16), Tr (except ibid.), WH; and also used by R G in Revelation 1:17; Revelation 5:14; Revelation 6:13; Revelation 11:16; Revelation 17:10) ἔπεσα (cf. (WHs Appendix, p. 164; Tdf. Proleg., p. 123); Lob. ad Phryn., p. 724f; Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. ii., p. 277f, and see ἀπέρχομαι at the beginning); perfect πέπτωκα, 2 person singular πεπτωκες (Revelation 2:5 T WH; see κοπιάω), 3 person plural πεπτωκαν (Revelation 18:3, Lachmann's stereotyped edition; Tr text WH text; see γίνομαι); (from ΠΑΤΩ, as τίκτω from ΤΑΚΩ (cf. Curtius, Etymol. § 214; Verbum, ii., p. 398)); from Homer down; the Sept. chiefly for נָפַל; to fall; used:

1. of descent from a higher place to a lower;

a. properly, to fall (either from or upon, equivalent to Latinincido, decido): ἐπί with the accusative of place, Matthew 10:29; Matthew 13:5,(),; (T omits; L WH Tr marginal reading brackets the verse); Mark 4:5; Luke 8:6 (here T Tr WH κατέπεσεν), 8 Rec.; Revelation 8:10; εἰς τί (of the thing that is entered; into), Matthew 15:14; Matthew 17:15; Mark 4:7 (L marginal reading ἐπί); Luke 6:39, R G L marginal reading (but L text T Tr WH ἐμπεσοῦνται); G L T Tr WH (; L T Tr WH); John 12:24; εἰς (upon) τήν γῆν, Revelation 6:13; Revelation 9:1; ἐν μέσῳ, with the genitive of the thing, Luke 8:7; παρά τήν ὁδόν, Matthew 13:4; Mark 4:4; Luke 8:5; to fall from or down: followed by ἀπό with the genitive of place, Matthew 15:27; Matthew 24:29 (here Tdf. ἐκ; Luke 16:21); Acts 20:9; followed by ἐκ with the genitive of place (Mark 13:25 L T Tr WH); Revelation 8:10; Revelation 9:1; equivalent to to be thrust down, Luke 10:18.

b. metaphorically: οὐ πίπτει ἐπί τινα ἥλιος, i. e. the heat of the sun does not strike upon them or incommode them, Revelation 7:16; (ἀχλύς καί σκότος, Acts 13:11 L T Tr WH); κλῆρος πίπτει ἐπί τινα, the lot falls upon one, Acts 1:20; φόβος πίπτει ἐπί τινα, falls upon or seizes one (Acts 19:17 L Tr); Revelation 11:11 Rec.; (τό πνεῦμα τό ἅγιον, Acts 10:44 Lachmann); πίπτω ὑπό κρίσιν, to fall under judgment, come under condemnation, James 5:12 (where Rec.st εἰς ὑπόκρισιν).

2. of descent from an erect to a prostrate position (Latinlabor, ruo; prolabor, procido; collabor, etc.);

a. properly; α. to fall down: ἐπί λίθον, Luke 20:18; λίθος πίπτει ἐπί τινα, Matthew 21:44 (T omits; L WH Tr marginal reading brackets the verse); Luke 20:18; τό ὄρος ἐπί τινα, Luke 23:30; Revelation 6:16. β. to be prostrated, fall prostrate; of those overcome by terror or astonishment or grief: χαμαί, John 18:6; εἰς τό ἔδαφος, Acts 22:7; ἐπί τήν γῆν, Acts 9:4; (ἐπί πρόσωπον, Matthew 17:6); or under the attack of an evil spirit: ἐπί τῆς γῆς, Mark 9:20; or falling dead suddenly: πρός τούς πόδας τίνος ὡς νεκρός, Revelation 1:17; πεσών ἐξέψυξε, Acts 5:5; ἔπεσεν παρά (L T Tr WH πρός) τούς πόδας τίνος, Acts 5:10; absolutely, 1 Corinthians 10:8; στόματι μαχαριας, Luke 21:24; absolutely of the dismemberment of corpses by decay, Hebrews 3:17 (Numbers 14:29, 32). γ. to prostrate oneself; used now of suppliants, now of persons rendering homage or worship to one: ἐπί τῆς γῆς, Mark 14:35; participle with προσκυνεῖν, as finite verb, Matthew 2:11; Matthew 4:9; Matthew 18:26; πίπτειν καί προσκυνεῖν, Revelation 5:14; Revelation 19:4; ἔπεσα προσκυνῆσαι, Revelation 22:8; πεσών εἰς τούς πόδας (αὐτοῦ), Matthew 18:29 Rec.; εἰς (T Tr WH πρός) τούς πόδας τίνος, John 11:32; πρός τούς πόδας τίνος, Mark 5:22; (παρά τούς πόδας τίνος, Luke 8:41); ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ποδῶν τίνος, Revelation 19:10; ἐνώπιον τίνος, Revelation 4:10; Revelation 5:8; ἐπί πρόσωπον, Matthew 26:39; Luke 5:12; ἐπί πρόσωπον παρά τούς πόδας τίνος, Luke 17:16; πεσών ἐπί τούς πόδας προσεκύνησε, Acts 10:25; πεσών ἐπί πρόσωπον προσκυνήσει, 1 Corinthians 14:25; ἐπί τά πρόσωπα καί προσκυνεῖν, Revelation 7:11 (ἐπί πρόσωπον Rec.); Revelation 11:16. δ. to fall out, fall from: θρίξ ἐκ τῆς κεφαλῆς πεσεῖται, equivalent to shall perish, be lost, Acts 27:34 Rec. ε. to fall down, fall in ruin: of buildings, walls, etc., Matthew 7:25,(27); Luke 6:49 (where T Tr WH συνεπεσε); Hebrews 11:30; οἶκος ἐπ' οἶκον πίπτει, Luke 11:17 (see ἐπί, C. I. 2 c.); πύργος ἐπί τινα, Luke 13:4; σκηνή πεπτωκυῖα, the tabernacle that has fallen down, a figurative description of the family of David and the theocracy as reduced to extreme decay (cf. σκηνή, at the end), Acts 15:16. of a city: ἔπεσε, i. e. has been overthrown, destroyed, Revelation 11:13; Revelation 14:8; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 18:2 (Jeremiah 28:8 ().

b. metaphorically, α. to be cast down from a state of prosperity: πόθεν πέπωκας, from what a height of Christian knowledge and attainment thou hast declined, Revelation 2:5 G L T Tr WH (see above at the beginning). β. to fall from a state of uprightness, i. e. to sin: opposed to ἑστάναι, 1 Corinthians 10:12; opposed to στήκειν, with a dative of the person whose interests suffer by the sinning (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 31, 1 k.), Romans 14:4; to fall into a state of wickedness, Revelation 18:3; Lachmann's stereotyped edition; Tr WH text (see πίνω). γ. to perish, i. e. to come to an end, disappear, cease: of virtues, 1 Corinthians 13:8 L T Tr WH (R. V. fail); to lose authority, no longer have force, of sayings, precepts, etc., Luke 16:17 (ὥστε οὐ χαμαί πεσεῖται τί ἄν εἴπῃς, Plato, Euchyphr. § 17; irrita cadunt promissa, Livy 2, 31). equivalent to to be removed from power by death, Revelation 17:10; to fail of participating in, miss a share in, the Messianic salvation, Romans 11:11,(22); Hebrews 4:11 ((yet see ἐν, I. 5 f.). Compare: ἀναπίπτω, ἀντιπίπτω, ἀποπίπτω, ἐκπίπτω ἐνπίπτω, ἐπιπίπτω, καταπίπτω, παραπίπτω, περιπίπτω, προσπίπτω, συμπίπτω.)

Topical Lexicon
Overview of Usage

The Greek verb behind Strong’s 4098 spans an impressive spectrum—from seeds dropping to earth, to walls collapsing, to worshipers throwing themselves at the Lord’s feet. Ninety-one New Testament occurrences show both literal descent and richly figurative applications that warn, comfort, and instruct the church.

Literal Descent of Persons and Objects

1. Accidental or sudden falls
• Eutychus “fell from the third account and was picked up dead” (Acts 20:9).
• The demon-tormented boy “often falls into the fire and into the water” (Matthew 17:15).
• The possessed child “fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth” (Mark 9:20).

2. Structural collapse
• “The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse” (Matthew 7:27).
• “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30).

3. Natural objects
• Stars “fell to the earth, like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a strong wind” (Revelation 6:13).
• A great star “fell from heaven, burning like a torch” (Revelation 8:10).
• Not even “a sparrow will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father” (Matthew 10:29).

4. Seed imagery
• In the parable of the sower, seed “fell along the path…on rocky places…among thorns…on good soil” (Matthew 13:4-8; Mark 4:4-8; Luke 8:5-8).
• “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed” (John 12:24).

Prostration in Awe or Worship

The most theologically charged uses depict voluntary falling before supreme authority.

• At Jesus’ transfiguration “the disciples fell facedown in terror” (Matthew 17:6).
• When the risen Christ appeared to John, “I fell at His feet like a dead man” (Revelation 1:17).
• Cornelius “fell at Peter’s feet to worship him, but Peter helped him up” (Acts 10:25), underlining that worship belongs to God alone.
• In heaven “the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb” (Revelation 5:8; 5:14; 4:10; 11:16; 19:4), modeling unreserved adoration.

Figurative Spiritual or Moral Collapse

The verb frequently warns of moral downfall.

• “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
• Israel’s transgression is called a “fall” that opens salvation to the Gentiles (Romans 11:11-22).
• “Let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:11).

Divine Judgment and Eschatological Cataclysm

Repeated prophetic oracles announce the downfall of evil powers.

• “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!” (Revelation 14:8; 18:2).
• One of the Revelation trumpets depicts a star that had “fallen from heaven to earth” and is given the key to the abyss (Revelation 9:1).
• “They will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’” during the great day of wrath (Revelation 6:16; Luke 23:30).

Falling within God’s Redemptive Plan

The verb also expresses surrender that leads to life.

• Saul of Tarsus “fell to the ground and heard a voice” (Acts 9:4), marking the start of his apostleship.
• The prodigal posture of the healed leper: he “fell facedown at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him” (Luke 17:16).
• In Corinth, conviction by prophetic ministry causes the outsider to “fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming that God is truly among you” (1 Corinthians 14:25).

Pastoral and Practical Implications

1. Humility in Worship

The heavenly pattern of falling before God invites believers to embody reverence, resisting casual familiarity with the Holy One.

2. Vigilance against Apostasy

Texts such as Hebrews 3:17 and 1 Corinthians 10:8 remind the church that previous generations “fell in the wilderness” through unbelief and immorality. Past grace does not guarantee future faithfulness.

3. Evangelistic Expectation

When Christ is rightly proclaimed, sinners may be brought to their knees, as happened in John 18:6 when arresting soldiers “fell to the ground.” Gospel proclamation carries inherent power.

4. Comfort in Providence

The Father’s detailed care even for a sparrow that “falls to the ground” assures believers that no setback escapes divine oversight.

Historical and Theological Reflection

Early Christian writers often linked Adam’s “fall” (a term not used in Genesis Greek but conceptually related) with the verb’s New Testament warnings. Augustine traced a parallel between Israel’s collapse in the wilderness and the church’s need for perseverance. Medieval liturgy adopted bodily prostration (Latin prosternere) during penitential seasons, echoing Revelation’s heavenly worship scenes.

Reformers emphasized 1 Corinthians 10:12—standing by grace alone keeps one from falling. Puritans saw Revelation 14 and 18 as prophetic of Rome’s eventual ruin, reinforcing hope amid persecution. Modern missions literature frequently cites John 12:24: the seed must fall and die for a harvest to come, underscoring sacrificial service.

Connections to Old Testament Usage

The Septuagint often employs the same Greek verb for Hebrew nāpal. Goliath “fell” face-down (1 Samuel 17:49); fire “fell” from heaven on Sodom (Genesis 19:24); the walls of Jericho “fell” (Joshua 6:20; echoed in Hebrews 11:30). These antecedents enrich New Testament resonance: defeat of giants, judgment of wickedness, and miraculous victory all converge in Christ.

Christological Significance

Jesus is both the stone on whom some “fall and are broken” and the One who causes the proud to stumble (Matthew 21:44; Luke 20:18). Conversely, He is also the seed that falls, dies, and bears much fruit (John 12:24). Thus the verb frames the paradox of judgment and salvation centered in Him.

Eschatological Hope and Assurance

While cosmic bodies and earthly powers will fall, believers who build on the rock of Christ will stand (Matthew 7:25). Even death’s apparent victory is only a seed falling into the ground, destined for resurrection glory. Until that day, the church follows the elders’ pattern—falling before the throne in worship, confident that “salvation belongs to our God, and to the Lamb” (Revelation 7:11).

Forms and Transliterations
επέπεσαν επεσα έπεσα ἔπεσα ἔπεσά επεσαν έπεσαν ἔπεσαν έπεσας έπεσε επεσεν επέσεν έπεσεν ἔπεσεν επεσον έπεσον έπεσόν επιπτεν έπιπτεν ἔπιπτεν πέπτωκα πεπτωκαν πέπτωκαν πέπτωκας πεπτώκασι πεπτώκασιν πέπτωκε πέπτωκεν πεπτωκέναι πεπτωκες πέπτωκες πεπτωκός πεπτωκοτα πεπτωκότα πεπτωκότας πεπτωκότες πεπτωκότων πεπτωκυία πεπτωκυιαν πεπτωκυίαν πεπτωκυῖαν πεπτωκώς πέπωκαν Πεσατε Πέσατε πεσειν πεσείν πεσεῖν πεσείσθε πεσειται πεσείται πεσεῖται πέσετε πεσέτω πεση πεσή πέση πέσῃ πέσης πεσητε πέσητε πέσοι πεσον πεσόν πεσοντα πεσόντα πεσοντας πεσόντας πεσοντες πεσόντες πεσου΄νται πεσούμεθα πεσουνται πεσούνται πεσοῦνται πεσουσαν πεσων πεσών πεσὼν πέσωσι πεσωσιν πέσωσιν πιπτει πίπτει πίπτετε πίπτον πιπτοντες πίπτοντες πιπτοντων πιπτόντων πίπτουσα πίπτουσι πίπτουσιν πίπτω πίπτων συνεπεσεν συνέπεσεν epesa épesa épesá epesan épesan epesen épesen epipten épipten pepokan pepōkan pépokan pépōkan peptokas peptōkas péptokas péptōkas peptokota peptokóta peptōkota peptōkóta peptokuian peptōkuian peptokyîan peptōkyîan pese pesē pései pésēi pesein peseîn peseitai peseîtai pesete pesēte pésete pésēte peson pesón pesōn pesṑn pesonta pesónta pesontas pesóntas pesontes pesóntes pesosin pesōsin pésosin pésōsin pesountai pesoûntai piptei píptei piptontes píptontes piptonton piptontōn piptónton piptóntōn sunepesen synepesen synépesen
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 2:11 V-APA-NMP
GRK: αὐτοῦ καὶ πεσόντες προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ
NAS: His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped
KJV: and fell down, and worshipped
INT: of him and having fallen down worshipped him

Matthew 4:9 V-APA-NMS
GRK: δώσω ἐὰν πεσὼν προσκυνήσῃς μοι
NAS: You, if You fall down and worship
KJV: if thou wilt fall down and worship
INT: will I give if having fallen down you will worship me

Matthew 7:25 V-AIA-3S
GRK: καὶ οὐκ ἔπεσεν τεθεμελίωτο γὰρ
NAS: that house; and [yet] it did not fall, for it had been founded
KJV: house; and it fell not: for
INT: and not it fell it had been founded indeed

Matthew 7:27 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἐκείνῃ καὶ ἔπεσεν καὶ ἦν
NAS: The rain fell, and the floods came,
KJV: house; and it fell: and great
INT: upon that and it fell and was

Matthew 10:29 V-FIM-3S
GRK: αὐτῶν οὐ πεσεῖται ἐπὶ τὴν
NAS: And [yet] not one of them will fall to the ground
KJV: shall not fall on the ground
INT: them not will fall to the

Matthew 13:4 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἃ μὲν ἔπεσεν παρὰ τὴν
NAS: some [seeds] fell beside
KJV: some [seeds] fell by
INT: some indeed fell along the

Matthew 13:5 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἄλλα δὲ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὰ
NAS: Others fell on the rocky
KJV: Some fell upon stony places,
INT: other moreover fell upon the

Matthew 13:7 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἄλλα δὲ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὰς
NAS: Others fell among the thorns,
KJV: And some fell among thorns;
INT: other moreover fell upon the

Matthew 13:8 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἄλλα δὲ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὴν
NAS: And others fell on the good soil
KJV: But other fell into good
INT: other moreover fell upon the

Matthew 15:14 V-FIP-3P
GRK: εἰς βόθυνον πεσοῦνται
NAS: both will fall into a pit.
KJV: both shall fall into
INT: into a pit will fall

Matthew 15:27 V-PPA-GNP
GRK: ψιχίων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς
NAS: on the crumbs which fall from their masters'
KJV: the crumbs which fall from their
INT: crumbs which fall from the

Matthew 17:6 V-AIA-3P
GRK: οἱ μαθηταὶ ἔπεσαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον
NAS: heard [this], they fell face
KJV: heard [it], they fell on
INT: the disciples fell upon face

Matthew 17:15 V-PIA-3S
GRK: πολλάκις γὰρ πίπτει εἰς τὸ
NAS: for he often falls into the fire
KJV: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire,
INT: often indeed he falls into the

Matthew 18:26 V-APA-NMS
GRK: πεσὼν οὖν ὁ
NAS: the slave fell [to the ground] and prostrated himself before
KJV: therefore fell down, and worshipped
INT: Having fallen down therefore the

Matthew 18:29 V-APA-NMS
GRK: πεσὼν οὖν ὁ
NAS: his fellow slave fell [to the ground] and [began] to plead
KJV: his fellowservant fell down at his
INT: Having fallen down therefore the

Matthew 21:44 V-APA-NMS
GRK: Καὶ ὁ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τὸν
NAS: And he who falls on this stone
KJV: And whosoever shall fall on this
INT: And the [one] having fallen on the

Matthew 21:44 V-ASA-3S
GRK: δ' ἂν πέσῃ λικμήσει αὐτόν
NAS: but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.
KJV: whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind
INT: moreover anyhow it shall fall it will grind to powder him

Matthew 24:29 V-FIP-3P
GRK: οἱ ἀστέρες πεσοῦνται ἀπὸ τοῦ
NAS: AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky,
KJV: and the stars shall fall from heaven,
INT: the stars will fall from the

Matthew 26:39 V-AIA-3S
GRK: προελθὼν μικρὸν ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον
NAS: beyond [them], and fell on His face
KJV: a little further, and fell on his
INT: having gone forward a little he fell upon face

Mark 4:4 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ὃ μὲν ἔπεσεν παρὰ τὴν
NAS: some [seed] fell beside
KJV: he sowed, some fell by the way side,
INT: some indeed fell along the

Mark 4:5 V-AIA-3S
GRK: καὶ ἄλλο ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸ
NAS: Other [seed] fell on the rocky
KJV: And some fell on stony ground,
INT: and other fell upon the

Mark 4:7 V-AIA-3S
GRK: καὶ ἄλλο ἔπεσεν εἰς τὰς
NAS: Other [seed] fell among the thorns,
KJV: And some fell among thorns,
INT: And another fell among the

Mark 4:8 V-AIA-3S
GRK: καὶ ἄλλα ἔπεσεν εἰς τὴν
NAS: Other [seeds] fell into the good
KJV: And other fell on good
INT: And another fell into the

Mark 5:22 V-PIA-3S
GRK: ἰδὼν αὐτὸν πίπτει πρὸς τοὺς
NAS: up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet
KJV: when he saw him, he fell at his
INT: having seen him falls at the

Mark 9:20 V-APA-NMS
GRK: αὐτόν καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τῆς
NAS: threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground,
KJV: him; and he fell on the ground,
INT: him and having fallen upon the

Strong's Greek 4098
91 Occurrences


ἔπεσά — 4 Occ.
ἔπεσαν — 12 Occ.
ἔπεσεν — 29 Occ.
ἔπιπτεν — 1 Occ.
πέπτωκας — 1 Occ.
πεπτωκότα — 1 Occ.
πεπτωκυῖαν — 1 Occ.
πέσῃ — 5 Occ.
πέσητε — 1 Occ.
πεσεῖν — 1 Occ.
πεσεῖται — 2 Occ.
πέσετε — 2 Occ.
πεσὼν — 13 Occ.
πέσωσιν — 1 Occ.
πεσόν — 1 Occ.
πεσόντα — 1 Occ.
πεσόντας — 1 Occ.
πεσόντες — 1 Occ.
πεσοῦνται — 4 Occ.
πίπτει — 5 Occ.
πίπτοντες — 1 Occ.
πιπτόντων — 2 Occ.
συνέπεσεν — 1 Occ.

4097
Top of Page
Top of Page