ἐπιχέω
I pour upon
Definition
The verb ἐπιχέω means 'to pour upon' or 'to pour over,' indicating the action of pouring a liquid onto something or someone. In its single New Testament occurrence (Luke 10:34), it describes the Good Samaritan pouring oil and wine onto the wounds of the injured man. This action was a common first-aid practice in the ancient world, using oil to soothe and wine as a disinfectant. The prefix ἐπί (upon) emphasizes the direct application of the liquid onto a specific surface or person.
Biblical Usage
ἐπιχέω is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 10:34, within the parable of the Good Samaritan. It describes a concrete, compassionate act of physical care. The context is narrative and practical, detailing a step in medical treatment. There are no other usages to establish broader patterns, but this single instance powerfully illustrates mercy in action.
Etymology
Derived from the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning 'upon' or 'over') combined with the verb χέω (cheō, meaning 'I pour'). It is a compound verb that literally means 'to pour upon.' Cognates include simple forms like χέω and other compounds such as ἐκχέω (ekcheō, 'to pour out'), highlighting a family of words dealing with the act of pouring.
Semantic Range
While ἐπιχέω itself is a practical verb, its sole biblical use carries significant theological weight within the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). It exemplifies the tangible, merciful love that Jesus commands towards one's neighbor, moving beyond theory to actionable compassion. Understanding this specific act enriches the parable by highlighting the deliberate, caring intervention that defines true neighborly love in Jesus's teaching.
In the cultural context of Luke 10:34, pouring oil and wine on wounds was standard first-aid. Olive oil was used to soften and protect injuries, while wine, due to its alcohol content, acted as an antiseptic. This practice would have been immediately recognizable to the original audience as a sensible and compassionate response, grounding the Samaritan's mercy in a relatable, everyday action of care.
χέω (cheō, G5499) — The simpler root verb meaning 'to pour,' without the directional emphasis of 'upon.' ἐκχέω (ekcheō, G1632) — Means 'to pour out,' often with a sense of outflow or shedding (e.g., of blood).
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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