ἐπιτίθημι

I put, place upon, lay on

Definition

The verb ἐπιτίθημι means 'to place upon,' 'to lay on,' or 'to put on.' In the New Testament, it is used both literally, such as placing hands on someone (Matthew 19:13) or laying garments on a donkey (Matthew 21:7), and metaphorically, as in imposing heavy burdens (Matthew 23:4). It can also carry the sense of adding or bestowing something, like giving a name (Mark 3:16) or affixing a title (Matthew 27:37). In healing and blessing contexts, the act of laying on hands signifies the transfer of blessing, healing, or authority (Matthew 9:18).

Biblical Usage

ἐπιτίθημι appears 41 times across the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles, with a concentration in the Synoptic Gospels. Its usage is diverse: it describes physical actions like placing a crown of thorns (Matthew 27:29), ritual actions like blessing or healing through the laying on of hands (Matthew 19:15; Acts 28:8), and figurative actions like adding to obligations (Acts 15:28). A pattern emerges where the compound preposition ἐπί emphasizes the 'upon' aspect, often indicating direct contact or imposition.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning 'upon' or 'over') and the common verb τίθημι (tithēmi, meaning 'to put' or 'to place'). The compound form intensifies the base meaning to specifically denote placing something upon another object or person. Cognates include ἐπίθεσις (epithesis, 'a laying on'), which is used in the New Testament for the laying on of hands (e.g., 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6).

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant in sacramental and ecclesial contexts. The 'laying on of hands' (ἐπίθεσις τῶν χειρῶν) is a recurring ritual that conveys blessing (Mark 10:16), healing (Luke 4:40), the reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17-19), and ordination for ministry (Acts 6:6, 1 Timothy 4:14). It symbolizes the transfer of spiritual authority, commissioning, and the tangible connection between divine power and human agency. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting the intentionality and physicality of these biblical acts of impartation.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, the act of laying hands on someone was a common cultural gesture with multiple meanings. It could signify blessing, as a father would bless his children (Genesis 48:14), or healing, as seen in the practices of both Jewish and Greco-Roman traditions. It also functioned in legal settings for identification or transference of guilt (Leviticus 16:21). The New Testament usage draws from and reinterprets these Jewish ritual backgrounds, investing them with new Christian significance related to the Holy Spirit and apostolic authority.

τίθημι (tithēmi, G5087) — A more general verb meaning 'to put' or 'to place,' without the specific 'upon' connotation. ἐπιβάλλω (epiballō, G1911) — Often means 'to cast upon' or 'to put on,' sometimes overlapping in literal sense but can imply a more forceful or sudden action. ἐπιτίθημι is more deliberate and ceremonial in many contexts.

Word Details

Scripture References