ἐπιχρίω (epichriō)
epichriō
to rub on
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb epichriō describes the physical act of spreading or rubbing a substance onto a surface. Derived from the prefix epi, meaning "on," and chriō, meaning "to anoint," it emphasizes the tactile application of oil or ointment. This is not merely a symbolic gesture but a concrete action involving direct contact.
In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both in the Gospel of John. It provides the precise detail for Jesus’ healing of the man born blind. In John 9:6, Jesus spits on the ground, makes mud, and applies it to the man’s eyes. Later, in verse 11, the healed man explains that Jesus "put clay on my eyes" using this specific term. The word captures the intimate, hands-on nature of the miracle.
Translators typically render epichriō as "anointed" or "put [something] on." While "anoint" often carries ritual or royal connotations in other biblical contexts, here it highlights Jesus’ use of ordinary materials—saliva and dirt—to bring about restoration. The focus remains on the physical act of application rather than any ceremonial status.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epichriō describes the simple, tactile act of rubbing a substance onto skin. In John 9, Jesus uses this concrete action to heal a man born blind. He mixes saliva with dirt and applies it directly to the man’s eyes. This detail shows that God often works through ordinary, physical means rather than dramatic displays of power.
For your faith, this reminds us that restoration does not always look like a sudden miracle from heaven. Sometimes healing comes through small, practical steps that require patience. The man had to wash in the pool after Jesus applied the mud. He participated in his own healing by obeying a simple instruction.
You may find comfort in knowing that God cares about the physical details of your life. He is not too holy to use dirt or saliva to bring light into darkness. This word invites you to trust in His hands-on care, even when the process feels slow or messy.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he rubbed1×
- He anointed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπέχρισέν1×
- ἐπέχρισεν1×
Key Verses
-
John 9:6
When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud,
This verse captures the precise moment Jesus initiates healing through a tangible, physical act of applying mud, showing His willingness to use humble materials.
-
John 9:11
He answered, “A man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went away and washed, and I received sight.”
The healed man uses this word to recount how Jesus applied the clay, highlighting that the miracle involved direct contact and personal obedience.