ἐπισωρεύω (episōreuō)

episōreuō

to accumulate

G2002 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Language: Koine Greek
Testament: New Testament
Occurrences: 1 verses
Root: —

Word Overview

The verb episōreuō means to heap up or accumulate things in piles. It appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Timothy 4:3. In this context, Paul warns that people will gather for themselves teachers who tell them what they want to hear. The image is of piling up resources or companions until a large crowd forms.

Its root combines a prefix meaning "upon" with a word related to heaps or mounds. This gives the word a sense of mass and accumulation rather than simple gathering. Translators often render it as "heap up" or "accumulate," highlighting the sheer volume involved in this behavior.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word episōreuō paints a vivid picture of accumulation, like piling stones or goods into a mound. In 2 Timothy 4:3, Paul uses it to describe how people might gather teachers who simply confirm their own desires. This image reminds us that our choices shape the spiritual environment we live in.

It is easy to surround ourselves with voices that feel comfortable and affirming. Yet true faith often requires listening to difficult truths that challenge our assumptions. This word invites us to examine what we are collecting in our hearts and minds, ensuring it aligns with God's wisdom rather than our fleeting preferences.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

they will gather around [them]1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

ἐπισωρεύσουσιν1×

Key Verses

II Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts,

This verse uses the word to warn against actively gathering teachers who cater to personal desires rather than sound doctrine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does episōreuō mean in the Bible?

It means to heap up or accumulate, often used metaphorically for gathering people or resources. In the New Testament, it appears only once to describe how some might gather teachers who agree with them.

Where does this word appear in Scripture?

It is found exclusively in 2 Timothy 4:3. Paul uses it to illustrate a future time when people will seek out instructors who tell them what they want to hear.

How is this different from simply gathering?

The prefix implies piling upon or accumulating in mass, suggesting a deliberate and perhaps excessive collection. It carries a stronger sense of building up a crowd or resource than a simple meeting.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

II Timothy 1 verse

II Timothy 4:3

For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for…