Lexical Summary
epipiptó: To fall upon, to embrace, to seize
Original Word: ἐπιπίπτω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epipiptó
Pronunciation: eh-pee-PEEP-to
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-pip'-to)
KJV: fall into (on, upon) lie on, press upon
NASB: fell, fallen, gripped, pressed around
Word Origin: [from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and G4098 (πίπτω - fell)]
1. to embrace (with affection) or seize (with more or less violence)
{literally or figuratively}
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
fall into, lie on, press upon.
From epi and pipto; to embrace (with affection) or seize (with more or less violence; literally or figuratively) -- fall into (on, upon) lie on, press upon.
see GREEK epi
see GREEK pipto
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
epi and
piptóDefinitionto fall upon
NASB Translationembraced* (2), fallen (1), fell (6), gripped (1), pressed around (1).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1968: ἐπιπίπτωἐπιπίπτω; 2 aorist
ἐπέπεσον, 3 person plural
ἐπέπεσαν,
Romans 15:3 L T Tr WH (cf.
ἀπέρχομαι at the beginning); perfect participle
ἐπιπεπτωκως; (see
πίπτω); the
Sept. for
נָפַל;
to fall upon; to rush or press upon;
a. properly: τίνι, upon one, Mark 3:10; to lie upon one, Acts 20:10; ἐπί τόν τράχηλον τίνος, to fall into one's embrace, Luke 15:20; Acts 20:37 (Genesis 46:29; Tobit 11:8, 12; 3Macc. 5:49); to fall back upon, ἐπί τό στῆθος τίνος, John 13:25 R G T.
b. metaphorically, ἐπί τινα, to fall upon one, i. e. to seize, take possession of him: φόβος, Luke 1:12; Acts 19:17 (L Tr ἔπεσεν); Revelation 11:11 L T Tr WH; ἔκστασις, Acts 10:10 Rec.; ἀχλύς, Acts 13:11 (R G). used also of the Holy Spirit, in its inspiration and impulse: ἐπί τίνι, Acts 8:16; ἐπί τινα,
Topical Lexicon
Overview The verb translated “fell upon,” “pressed upon,” or “embraced” marks decisive moments of divine action or intense human emotion. Its appearances cluster around five themes: the inbreaking of the Holy Spirit, compassionate embrace, overwhelming fear, apostolic urgency, and the prophetic fulfillment accomplished in Jesus Christ. Each occurrence underscores the immediacy and power of God’s work in salvation history.
Encounters with the Holy Spirit
In Acts 8:16; 10:44; 11:15 the Holy Spirit “fell” upon believers with unmistakable effect. “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message” (Acts 10:44). Without human manipulation, God personally and sovereignly sealed Gentile and Samaritan converts, confirming that the gospel transcends ethnic boundaries. The verb signals a divine initiative that validates faith, accelerates mission, and knits diverse believers into one body. Luke deliberately parallels these accounts with Pentecost to emphasize continuity in the Spirit’s ministry.
Compassionate Embrace
Luke 15:20 paints perhaps the tenderest picture: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, fell on his neck, and kissed him”. Here the word depicts mercy that overrides social convention. Similar warmth radiates from Acts 20:10 and 20:37 as the Ephesian elders fall upon Paul, weeping over their beloved shepherd. In each case, the action embodies covenant love that closes distance and restores relationship.
Sudden Terror or Conviction
The same verb describes fear that grips those confronted by the supernatural. When Zechariah saw the angel, “fear fell upon him” (Luke 1:12). At Ephesus “fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor” (Acts 19:17). Revelation 11:11 records worldwide consternation as life reenters the two witnesses. Such moments reveal the holiness of God and the necessity of reverent response.
Christological Fulfillment
Romans 15:3 cites Psalm 69 to show that reproach “fell on” Christ: “For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me’”. The verb places the weight of mankind’s hostility squarely on the Savior, highlighting substitutionary suffering and fulfilling prophetic Scripture. His willingness to bear that burden secures redemption and models self-denying service.
Apostolic Urgency and Ministry Context
Mark 3:10 portrays crowds pressing upon Jesus for healing. The physical urgency anticipates the spiritual urgency of later missionary work. In Acts 20 Paul resurrects Eutychus, demonstrating that life-giving power continues through the apostolic witness even as danger and fatigue “fall upon” the fledgling church.
Pastoral and Devotional Applications
1. Expectant Prayer: Believers today may seek fresh empowerment, trusting that the Spirit still “falls” upon gathered hearts.
2. Compassionate Ministry: The father’s embrace calls disciples to initiate reconciliation, not wait for prodigals to arrive.
3. Holy Fear: Awareness of divine holiness guards against casual worship and promotes earnest repentance.
4. Christlike Endurance: Because reproach fell on Jesus, Christians can endure opposition with confidence that Scripture is being fulfilled in and through them.
Summary
Whether describing the Spirit’s descent, a father’s embrace, holy fear, or redemptive suffering, this verb consistently signals action that is sudden, personal, and transformative. Through it Scripture testifies that God draws near, hearts are knit together, conviction seizes consciences, and Christ bears the world’s contempt—each occurrence advancing the unbroken account of redemption.
Forms and Transliterations
επεπεσαν επεπεσάν επέπεσαν ἐπέπεσαν επέπεσε επεπεσεν επέπεσεν ἐπέπεσεν επέπεσον επιπεπτώκασί επιπέπτωκε επιπεπτώκει επιπεπτωκος επιπεπτωκός ἐπιπεπτωκός επιπεσείν επιπεσείται επιπέση επιπέσοι επιπεσοντες επιπεσόντες ἐπιπεσόντες επιπεσών επιπίπτει επιπιπτειν επιπίπτειν ἐπιπίπτειν επιπίπτετε επιπίπτη επιπίπτων epepesan epépesan epepesen epépesen epipeptokos epipeptokós epipeptōkos epipeptōkós epipesontes epipesóntes epipiptein epipíptein
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