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Strong's Lexicon epithymeō: To desire, to long for, to covet Original Word: ἐπιθυμέω Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epithymeō Pronunciation: eh-pee-thoo-MEH-oh Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-pnee'-go) Definition: choke Meaning: To desire earnestly, to long for, to covet, to set one's heart upon. Word Origin: Derived from ἐπί (epi, meaning "upon" or "intensifying") and θυμός (thymos, meaning "passion" or "desire"). Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek ἐπιθυμέω is often compared to the Hebrew חָמַד (chamad, Strong's 2530), which means to desire, covet, or take pleasure in. Another related Hebrew term is אָוָה (avah, Strong's 183), which also conveys the idea of longing or desiring. These Hebrew terms similarly reflect the dual nature of desire, encompassing both righteous and unrighteous aspects. Usage: The verb ἐπιθυμέω is used in the New Testament to express a strong desire or longing, often with a negative connotation of coveting or lusting after something that is not rightfully one's own. It can also denote a positive longing or earnest desire for something good or righteous. Context: The term ἐπιθυμέω appears in various contexts within the New Testament, illustrating both positive and negative aspects of desire. In its negative sense, it is often associated with covetousness or lust, as seen in the moral teachings of Jesus and the apostles. For instance, in Matthew 5:28, Jesus warns against looking at a woman with lustful intent, equating it with adultery in the heart: "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." The apostle Paul frequently uses ἐπιθυμέω to caution against sinful desires that lead to moral and spiritual downfall. In Romans 7:7, Paul reflects on the law's role in revealing sin, stating, "For I would not have known coveting if the Law had not said, 'You shall not covet.'" Here, ἐπιθυμέω is linked to the commandment against coveting, highlighting the internal nature of sin. Conversely, ἐπιθυμέω can also describe a righteous longing. In Luke 22:15, Jesus expresses a deep desire to share the Passover with His disciples before His suffering: "And He said to them, 'I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering.'" This usage underscores a fervent, heartfelt longing aligned with God's purposes. The dual nature of ἐπιθυμέω serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning one's desires with God's will, distinguishing between sinful covetousness and holy longing. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance choke. From epi and pnigo; to throttle upon, i.e. (figuratively) overgrow -- choke. see GREEK epi see GREEK pnigo Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance ἐπίνοια — 1 Occ. ἐπιορκήσεις — 1 Occ. ἐπιόρκοις — 1 Occ. ἐπιούσῃ — 5 Occ. ἐπιούσιον — 2 Occ. ἐπέπεσαν — 1 Occ. ἐπέπεσεν — 7 Occ. ἐπιπεπτωκός — 1 Occ. ἐπιπεσόντες — 1 Occ. ἐπιπίπτειν — 1 Occ. ἐπιποθήσατε — 1 Occ. ἐπιποθεῖ — 1 Occ. ἐπιποθῶ — 2 Occ. ἐπιποθῶν — 2 Occ. ἐπιποθοῦντες — 2 Occ. ἐπιποθούντων — 1 Occ. ἐπιπόθησιν — 2 Occ. ἐπιπόθητοι — 1 Occ. ἐπιποθίαν — 1 Occ. ἐπιπορευομένων — 1 Occ.