ἐμπίμπλημι (empimplēmi)
empimplēmi
to fill up
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb empimplēmi means to fill something completely or to satisfy a deep need. It combines the prefix em-, indicating an inward or complete action, with plēthō, the common word for filling. In the New Testament, this word appears only five times, primarily in Luke and Romans, where it describes God’s provision for human hunger and desire.
Its usage spans both physical and spiritual satisfaction. In Luke 1:53, Mary praises God who has filled the hungry with good things, using the active voice to show God as the source of fulfillment. Conversely, Luke 6:25 warns that those who are currently full will go hungry, employing the passive form to describe a state of being satisfied. This duality highlights the word’s focus on the result of filling rather than the method.
A notable instance occurs in John 6:12, where Jesus instructs his disciples to gather the leftover fragments so that nothing is wasted, literally ensuring the baskets are filled up. In Romans 15:24, Paul expresses a desire to be sent on by the Romans after he has been filled with their company, using the term metaphorically for spiritual refreshment and companionship.
Translators typically render empimplēmi as "fill" or "satisfy," capturing its sense of completeness. Unlike words that merely indicate partial filling, this term emphasizes a state where no space remains empty, whether referring to physical baskets, hungry bellies, or the human soul’s need for divine grace.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word empimplēmi reminds us that true satisfaction comes from God alone. In Luke 1:53, Mary celebrates how He fills the hungry with good things, showing that our deepest needs are met by His provision. This is not just about physical food but also about the soul’s longing for purpose and peace.
Yet this word also carries a warning. Jesus notes in Luke 6:25 that those who are full now will go hungry, suggesting that self-sufficiency can leave us spiritually empty. It invites us to examine where we place our trust—whether in temporary comforts or in the One who satisfies completely.
Even in everyday moments, like gathering leftovers in John 6:12, we see God’s care for detail and abundance. His filling is generous, leaving nothing wasted. This encourages us to live with gratitude, knowing that every good gift comes from Him and sustains us through life’s seasons.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they were filled1×
- filling1×
- filled1×
- I shall be filled.1×
- He has filled1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐνέπλησεν1×
- ἐνεπλήσθησαν1×
- ἐμπλησθῶ.¶1×
- ἐμπιπλῶν1×
- ἐμπεπλησμένοι1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 1:53
He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.
This verse highlights God as the active source of fulfillment for those who recognize their need, contrasting human lack with divine provision.
-
Luke 6:25
Woe to you, you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
Here the passive state of being 'full' becomes a spiritual danger, warning against complacency that ignores deeper hunger.
-
John 6:12
When they were filled, he said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost.”
Jesus uses the concept of filling to teach stewardship, ensuring that God’s abundance is not wasted but gathered with care.