ἐπίκειμαι (epikeimai)
epikeimai
to lay on
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb epikeimai describes a state of lying upon or resting on something, conveying a sense of weight and physical presence. In the Gospels, it appears in vivid scenes where objects or people are placed in specific positions, such as burning coals laid out on a charcoal fire in John 21:9, or the crowd pressing against Jesus in Luke 5:1. The word captures the tangible pressure of bodies or items occupying space.
Its meaning extends beyond simple location to include threat and urgency. In Acts 27:20, a violent storm is said to epikeimai over the ship, emphasizing the overwhelming danger bearing down on the sailors. Similarly, Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 9:16 to describe the urgent compulsion of preaching the gospel, suggesting a force that presses upon him with necessity rather than mere choice.
Etymologically, the word combines epi ("upon") with keimai ("to lie"), reinforcing the image of something settled heavily on a surface. This physical root grounds its metaphorical uses, whether describing the literal heat of coals or the figurative weight of divine obligation. Translators often render it as "lay upon" or "press upon," depending on whether the context involves physical objects or abstract pressures.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word epikeimai paints a vivid picture of weight resting upon something. It is not a gentle touch, but a tangible pressure that occupies space and demands attention. In John 21:9, we see this literally as bread and fish are laid upon burning coals, creating a scene of warmth and provision. This physical reality helps us understand how the word is used in other contexts to describe forces that press down on us.
For your faith life, this word reminds you that some burdens are not accidents but necessities placed by God. Paul felt this weight in 1 Corinthians 9:16, describing the gospel as a necessity laid upon him. It was not a choice he made lightly, but a compulsion that pressed on his spirit. When you feel the weight of responsibility or care for others, remember that such pressure often signals a divine calling rather than mere circumstance.
Even in times of storm, like the one in Acts 27:20 where danger pressed upon the ship, this word conveys urgency. Yet, it also points to the solid presence of God’s provision and purpose. You can trust that the weight you carry is held by One who understands physical pressure and spiritual obligation alike.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- was lying1×
- they were urgent1×
- pressing on1×
- lying on [it]1×
- is laid upon;1×
- being imposed.1×
- afflicted [us]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπίκειται·1×
- ἐπέκειτο1×
- ἐπέκειντο1×
- ἐπικεῖσθαι1×
- ἐπικείμενον1×
- ἐπικείμενα.¶1×
- ἐπικειμένου1×
Key Verses
-
John 21:9
So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it.
This verse provides the concrete image of food laid on coals, grounding the word's meaning in physical presence and provision.
-
Acts 27:20
When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved was now taken away.
Here the word describes a storm pressing down on the ship, illustrating the sense of overwhelming danger and urgency.
-
I Corinthians 9:16
For if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast about, for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me if I don’t preach the Good News.
Paul uses this term to show that preaching the gospel is not optional but a necessity laid upon him by God.