ἐπιγίνομαι

I arise, spring up

Definition

The verb ἐπιγίνομαι means 'to arise upon,' 'to spring up,' or 'to come on.' It carries the sense of something arriving or occurring, often with the nuance of happening subsequently or in addition to something else. In its single New Testament occurrence in Acts 28:13, it describes a favorable wind 'springing up' for the sea voyage. The word can imply a sudden or opportune arrival, fitting the context of a change in weather conditions that aids travel.

Biblical Usage

ἐπιγίνομαι is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 28:13, where it describes a south wind 'springing up' to propel Paul's ship from Syracuse to Rhegium. This usage is purely descriptive of a meteorological event within a travel narrative. There are no other patterns or theological usages in the biblical text.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning 'upon,' 'over') and the common verb γίνομαι (ginomai, meaning 'to become,' 'to happen,' 'to come into being'). The compound form thus literally means 'to come upon' or 'to happen upon,' emphasizing an event arising in a particular context or sequence.

Semantic Range

In the ancient Mediterranean, winds were crucial for sea travel. A favorable wind 'springing up' (ἐπιγίνομαι) was seen as a significant, often providential, event for a voyage. This reflects a cultural understanding where weather patterns were directly tied to daily life and travel logistics, and such an event could be interpreted as a sign of divine favor or assistance on a journey, as in the narrative of Acts.

γίνομαι (ginomai, G1096) — The root verb meaning 'to become' or 'to happen,' without the specific nuance of 'upon' or a subsequent arrival. ἐπέρχομαι (eperchomai, G1904) — Means 'to come upon' or 'to arrive,' often with a sense of movement toward, and can be used for abstract things like fear or events.

Word Details

Scripture References