ἐπάν (epan)
epan
when/as soon as
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The conjunction epan functions as a temporal marker meaning "when," "after," or "as soon as." It serves to link two events in time, indicating that one action follows another immediately or under specific conditions. In the New Testament, it appears only three times, making it a rare but precise tool for narrative sequencing.
This word is a later variant of epi, reflecting the natural evolution of Greek usage. Its primary role is to establish a clear chronological relationship between clauses. For instance, in Matthew 2:8 and Luke 11:34, it helps structure the flow of events by pinpointing exactly when certain actions occur relative to others.
Translators typically render epan with simple temporal words like "when" or "after," depending on the context. Its brevity and frequency in specific passages highlight its utility in driving the narrative forward without unnecessary elaboration, allowing readers to focus on the sequence of events rather than the grammatical construction itself.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epan acts as a simple bridge in the text, marking the moment one event leads directly into another. It removes ambiguity about timing, showing that an action happens immediately upon a specific condition being met. This precision helps readers follow the narrative without getting lost in vague transitions.
In Luke 11:34, Jesus uses this structure to connect the state of your eye with the light filling your body. The implication is clear: the inner condition determines the outer reality as soon as it is present. It reminds us that our spiritual focus has immediate consequences for how we see and live.
Understanding these small connectors helps us appreciate the care taken in recording Scripture. Each word serves a purpose, guiding us to see the direct links between our choices and their outcomes. This clarity encourages a life of intentional faithfulness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- when3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπὰν3×
Key Verses
-
Luke 11:34
The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness.
This verse uses epan twice to tightly link the condition of the eye with the resulting state of the body, emphasizing immediate spiritual consequence.
-
Matthew 2:8
He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.”
Here the word marks the specific time frame for Herod’s instruction, setting up the sequence of events leading to the visit of the wise men.
-
Luke 11:22
But when someone stronger attacks him and overcomes him, he takes from him his whole armor in which he trusted, and divides his plunder.
It establishes the chronological trigger for the stronger man taking the armor, showing how one event directly enables the next.