ἔπος (epos)
epos
a word
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun epos refers simply to a single word or utterance. In the New Testament it appears only once, in Hebrews 7:9, where the author notes that Levi paid tithes through Abraham "so to speak" (hōs epos eipein). Here it functions as a rhetorical marker, signaling that the statement is a figurative way of describing a historical event.
Lexical sources distinguish epos from related terms like logos and rhēma. While logos implies reasoned speech or a complex argument, and rhēma can denote a mere articulated sound, epos sits in between as the concrete expression of a thought. It is the building block of language rather than the structure itself.
The phrase "so to speak" derived from this word helps readers navigate abstract theological arguments by grounding them in familiar concepts. In Hebrews, it allows the writer to bridge the gap between Abraham’s physical act and Levi’s spiritual obligation without claiming they were physically present together.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epos refers to a single word or utterance, serving as the basic building block of language rather than a complex argument. In Scripture, it helps us understand how God communicates truth in ways we can grasp. When used in phrases like "so to speak," it signals that a statement is figurative, allowing readers to bridge abstract theological ideas with familiar concepts.
In Hebrews 7:9, this term appears as the author explains how Levi paid tithes through Abraham. This usage does not claim a physical presence but rather uses a common expression to clarify spiritual realities. It reminds us that God’s Word often meets us where we are, using simple language to convey deep truths about faith and obligation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a word1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔπος1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 7:9
We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,
The phrase "so to speak" uses epos to signal that Levi’s tithing is described figuratively through Abraham, bridging historical and spiritual realities.