Berean Strong's Lexicon epistamai: To know, to understand, to be acquainted with Original Word: ἐπίσταμαι Word Origin: From the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning "upon" or "over") and the verb ἵστημι (histēmi, meaning "to stand" or "to set") Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "epistamai," similar concepts of knowledge and understanding can be found in Hebrew words like יָדַע (yada, Strong's H3045), which means "to know" or "to perceive." Usage: The verb "epistamai" conveys a sense of knowing or understanding something thoroughly. It implies a familiarity or acquaintance with a subject, often through experience or study. In the New Testament, it is used to describe a deep, comprehensive knowledge, often in contrast to superficial or incomplete understanding. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, knowledge and understanding were highly valued, especially in philosophical and educational contexts. The term "epistamai" would have been understood as a deeper, more intimate form of knowledge, akin to the insights gained through personal experience or detailed study. This concept of knowledge was important in both Jewish and Hellenistic thought, where wisdom and understanding were seen as virtues. HELPS Word-studies 1987 epístamai (from 1909 /epí, "fitting on," which intensifies 2476 /hístēmi, "stand") – properly, standing upon, referring to gaining knowledge by prolonged acquaintance, i.e. sustained, personal effort. For the believer, this careful study (observation) builds on taking a stand that Scripture is the Word of God (note the epi, "on"). [1987 (epistamai) expresses "what comes from close and familiar acquaintance" (B. F. Westcott, Lessons of the Revised Version, 101). 1987 (epistamai) in antiquity meant, "skilled in handicraft" (M. Vincent) – referring to knowledge "resulting from prolonged practice" (Thayer, 118).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ephistémi Definition to know, to understand NASB Translation being acquainted (1), know (6), know about (1), knowing (2), knows (1), understand (2), understands (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1987: ἐπίσταμαιἐπίσταμαι (seems to be the Ionic form of the middle of ἐφίστημι. Isocrates, Aristotle, others, also use ἐπιστῆσαι τήν διάνοιαν, τόν νοῦν, ἑαυτόν for to put one's attention on, fix one's thoughts on; indeed, the simple ἐπιστῆσαι is used in the same sense, by an ellipsis analogous to that of τόν νοῦν with the verbs προσέχειν, ἐπέχειν, and of τήν ὄψιν with προσβάλλειν; see Lobeck ad Phryn., p. 281f Hence, ἐπίσταμαι is properly, to turn oneself or one's mind to, put one's thought upon a thing); from Homer down; the Sept. chiefly for יָדַע ; (cf. German sichworaufverstehen); a. to be acquainted with: τί, Acts 18:25; James 4:14; Jude 1:10; τινα, Acts 19:15; with reference to what is said or is to be interpreted, to understand: Mark 14:68; 1 Timothy 6:4. b. to know: περί τίνος, Acts 26:26; followed by an accusative with a participle Acts 24:10 (Winers Grammar, 346 (324); Buttmann, 301 (258)); followed by ὅτι, Acts 15:7; Acts 19:25; Acts 22:19; followed by ὡς, Acts 10:28; by πῶς, Acts 20:18; by ποῦ, Hebrews 11:8. (Synonym: see γινώσκω.) STRONGS NT 1987a: ἐπίστασιςἐπίστασις, ἐπιστασεως, ἡ (ἐφίστημι, ἐφισταμαι), an advancing, approach; incursion, onset, press: τῆς κακίας (Vulg.malorumincursio), 2 Macc. 6:3, where cf. Grimm; used of the pressure of a multitude asking help, counsel, etc., τίνι (on which dative cf. Winers Grammar, § 31, 3; (Buttmann, 180 (156)); Kühner, § 424, 1) to one, 2 Corinthians 11:28 L T Tr WH (but others would have us translate it here by oversight, attention, care, a common meaning of the word in Polybius); used of a tumultuous gathering in Acts 24:12 L T Tr WH. Cf. Buttmann, as above Apparently a middle voice of ephistemi (with nous implied); to put the mind upon, i.e. Comprehend, or be acquainted with -- know, understand. see GREEK ephistemi see GREEK nous Englishman's Concordance Mark 14:68 V-PIM/P-1SGRK: οἶδα οὔτε ἐπίσταμαι σὺ τί NAS: nor understand what KJV: not, neither understand I what thou INT: I know nor even understand you what Acts 10:28 V-PIM/P-2P Acts 15:7 V-PIM/P-2P Acts 18:25 V-PPM/P-NMS Acts 19:15 V-PIM/P-1S Acts 19:25 V-PIM/P-2P Acts 20:18 V-PIM/P-2P Acts 22:19 V-PIM/P-3P Acts 24:10 V-PPM/P-NMS Acts 26:26 V-PIM/P-3S 1 Timothy 6:4 V-PPM/P-NMS Hebrews 11:8 V-PPM/P-NMS James 4:14 V-PIM/P-2P Jude 1:10 V-PIM/P-3P Strong's Greek 1987 |