ἐπάγω
I bring upon
Definition
The Greek verb ἐπάγω means 'to bring upon' or 'to cause to come upon.' In its literal sense, it refers to bringing something, often a consequence or judgment, onto a person or group. For example, in 2 Peter 2:5, it describes God bringing the flood upon the ancient world. In a more metaphorical or judicial sense, it can mean to impute or attribute guilt, as seen in Acts 5:28, where the apostles are accused of intending to bring bloodguilt upon the Jewish leaders.
Biblical Usage
ἐπάγω is used only three times in the New Testament, all in contexts of bringing severe consequences. In Acts 5:28, it is used in a legal accusation about bringing guilt. In 2 Peter 2:1 and 2:5, it describes divine judgment—bringing swift destruction upon false teachers and bringing the flood upon the ungodly. Its usage is exclusively in narratives or discourses concerning accusation and judgment.
Etymology
Derived from the preposition ἐπί (epi, 'upon') and the verb ἄγω (agō, 'to lead, bring'). It literally means 'to lead upon' or 'to bring to.' This compound form emphasizes the direction of the action—bringing something to bear upon a target.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights the concept of divine retribution and moral accountability. In 2 Peter, it underscores God's active role in executing judgment against sin and falsehood. Understanding ἐπάγω enriches reading by clarifying that judgment is not an abstract fate but something specifically brought upon by God in response to human actions, connecting human responsibility with divine justice.
In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of 'bringing upon' consequences had strong legal and religious overtones, often associated with curses, divine wrath, or official verdicts. The usage in Acts 5:28 taps into this cultural understanding of bloodguilt, a serious communal and religious liability.
ἐπιφέρω (epipherō, G2018) — also means 'to bring upon,' but can be more general; often used for bringing things physically. φέρω (pherō, G5342) — a simpler, broader term for 'to bear' or 'carry,' without the specific directional force of 'upon.'
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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