ἐπαιτέω (epaiteō)
epaiteō
to ask/beg
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb epaiteō describes the act of begging or asking for alms, often with an intensity that implies importunity. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both in the Gospel of Luke, where it captures the persistent pleas of individuals seeking mercy or help. The word carries the sense of asking "besides" or repeatedly, suggesting a need so pressing that the speaker does not hesitate to press their case.
In Luke 16:3, a steward facing dismissal considers begging as a way to secure future support, highlighting the social reality of mendicancy in the ancient world. Later, in Luke 18:35, a blind man calls out for mercy, using language that conveys his desperate reliance on others for relief. The term underscores a position of vulnerability and dependence, where the petitioner must actively and persistently seek aid from those who have the power to give.
Its root structure combines a prefix meaning "upon" or "besides" with a base meaning "to ask," reinforcing the idea of asking again or for more. This linguistic detail aligns with its usage in contexts where ordinary requests are insufficient, and survival or healing hangs on persistent appeal. Translators typically render it as "beg" or "ask for alms," preserving the humility and urgency inherent in the original Greek.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epaiteō captures the raw honesty of human need. It describes someone who has run out of options and must ask for help, often with a sense of urgency that leaves no room for pride. When we look at the blind man in Luke 18:35, we see this posture clearly. He does not wait for an invitation; he calls out because his situation demands immediate attention. This reminds us that bringing our deepest needs to Jesus is never beneath us.
Even in the parable of the dishonest manager (Luke 16:3), the fear of having to beg highlights how desperate the steward felt about his future. While his methods were wrong, the underlying reality of dependence is something we all share. We cannot secure our own lives through our own strength alone. Acknowledging this vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but the first step toward receiving true help.
God invites us to bring our requests to Him with this same openness. You do not need to hide your struggles or pretend you have everything figured out. In fact, it is often in our weakest moments that we find the strongest support. Let this word encourage you to be honest about what you need, trusting that He hears and cares.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to beg1×
- begging.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπαιτῶν.1×
- ἐπαιτεῖν1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 18:35
As he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging.
This verse shows the blind man using epaiteō to describe his active, persistent reliance on others for survival as he sits by the road.
-
Luke 16:3
“The manager said within himself, ‘What will I do, seeing that my lord is taking away the management position from me? I don’t have strength to dig. I am ashamed to beg.
Here the word highlights the steward's shame and desperation, revealing how deeply he feared losing his ability to provide for himself.