ἐπιφώσκω (epiphōskō)
epiphōskō
to dawn
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb epiphōskō describes the process of growing light or dawning, capturing the gradual transition from darkness to day. It is a rare word in the New Testament, appearing only twice, yet it carries significant narrative weight by marking specific moments of time and change.
In Matthew 28:1, the term signals the arrival of the new week as the women approach the tomb at dawn. Similarly, Luke 23:54 uses it to describe the onset of day as Joseph takes Jesus’ body down from the cross. In both instances, the word anchors the story in a precise physical reality while hinting at deeper spiritual shifts.
Its root relates to shining or breaking forth with light. Translators often render it simply as "dawn" or "daybreak," but the Greek emphasizes the active process of light emerging. This subtle distinction highlights how Scripture uses natural phenomena to frame pivotal events in salvation history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epiphōskō captures the quiet, gradual shift from darkness into light. In Scripture, this natural event often marks a turning point in God’s story. When the first rays of morning break, they do not just change the sky; they signal that a new chapter has begun. This gentle illumination reminds us that even after long nights of confusion or sorrow, clarity and hope are always on their way.
We see this pattern clearly when the women approach the tomb early in the morning. The dawn does more than light their path; it reveals the empty grave and the reality of resurrection. Similarly, as day breaks over Jerusalem, it brings a new context for Jesus’ burial, pointing toward the ultimate victory over death. These moments show that God uses the simple rhythm of day and night to anchor profound spiritual truths in our everyday lives.
You do not need to force the light yourself. The dawn happens on its own time, bringing warmth and visibility without effort from those who wait. This word invites you to trust that your current season of waiting is part of a larger story where light always wins. Rest in the promise that what seems hidden now will soon be revealed in fullness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- was just beginning.1×
- dawning1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπέφωσκεν.1×
- ἐπιφωσκούσῃ1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 28:1
Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
This occurrence anchors the resurrection narrative in a specific time, marking the dawn as the moment the women discover the empty tomb and the reality of Christ's victory.
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Luke 23:54
It was the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near.
Here the word signals the end of the Preparation day and the approach of the Sabbath, framing Jesus' burial within the precise rhythm of Jewish law and time.