### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐπέρχομαι (epérchomai), Strong's `{{G1904}}`, is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐπί (epí), meaning "upon," "over," or "to," and the verb ἔρχομαι (erchomai), meaning "to come" or "to go." This etymology immediately suggests a dynamic sense of "coming upon" or "approaching something." The core meaning thus encompasses an active arrival or supervention, often implying an impact or influence upon the object or situation.
Its semantic range is broad, extending to:
1. **Simple arrival or occurrence:** To come, arrive, or happen.
2. **Impendence:** To be about to come, to be impending, suggesting a future event that is certain or highly probable.
3. **Hostile approach or attack:** To come against, to assault, to conquer.
4. **Divine or spiritual influence:** To come upon someone with power, anointing, or revelation.
The nuance of ἐπέρχομαι often includes an element of suddenness, force, or an event that is external and comes *to* or *over* something, rather than merely a simple movement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἐπέρχομαι appears several times in the New Testament, each instance illuminating its rich semantic range:
* **Divine Empowerment/Influence:**
* In [[Luke 1:35]], the angel Gabriel declares to Mary, "The Holy Spirit will ἐπέρχομαι upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." Here, ἐπέρχομαι signifies the active, sovereign, and transformative descent of the Holy Spirit, enabling the miraculous conception of Jesus. It is a coming with divine power and purpose.
* Similarly, in [[Acts 1:8]], Jesus promises His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has ἐπέρχομαι upon you, and you will be my witnesses..." This passage echoes Luke's usage, indicating the Spirit's coming as an empowering force for ministry and witness, not merely an arrival but an infilling with divine ability.
* **Hostile Approach/Conquest:**
* [[Luke 11:22]] states, "But when someone stronger than he ἐπέρχομαι him and overcomes him, he takes away his whole armor in which he trusted..." In this parable of the strong man, ἐπέρχομαι clearly denotes a hostile approach, an attack leading to conquest and subjugation. It speaks to spiritual warfare, where a greater power overcomes a lesser one.
* **Impending Judgment/Calamity:**
* [[Luke 21:26]] describes the "distress of nations" and people "fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is ἐπέρχομαι upon the world." And again in [[Luke 21:35]], Jesus warns that the day of judgment "will ἐπέρχομαι upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth." These passages use ἐπέρχομαι to convey the certainty and imminence of eschatological judgment and tribulation. It is a "coming upon" with a sense of inescapable destiny and consequence.
* In [[Acts 13:40]], Paul warns the Jews in Pisidian Antioch, "Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets ἐπέρχομαι upon you." Here, it refers to the fulfillment of prophetic judgment, highlighting the inevitability of divine consequences for unbelief.
* [[James 5:1]] begins, "Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are ἐπέρχομαι upon you." This is a prophetic denunciation, using ἐπέρχομαι to signify the impending woes and judgments that await those who oppress the poor.
* [[Acts 8:24]] presents a different nuance: Simon Magus, fearing Peter's curse, pleads, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said ἐπέρχομαι upon me." Here, ἐπέρχομαι refers to the dreaded consequences or judgments that Simon fears will befall him.
Across these contexts, ἐπέρχομαι consistently conveys an active, often powerful, and impactful "coming upon," whether for divine blessing, hostile encounter, or inevitable judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
ἐπέρχομαι relates closely to its base verb ἔρχομαι (`{{G2064}}`, "to come, go"), but the prefix ἐπί (`{{G1909}}`, "upon, over") adds the crucial directional and often impactful nuance. Other related Greek words include:
* παραγίνομαι (`{{G3854}}`): "to arrive, be present." While similar in denoting arrival, παραγίνομαι lacks the specific "coming upon" or "supervening" force often present in ἐπέρχομαι.
* προσέρχομαι (`{{G4334}}`): "to come to, approach." This word implies a movement *towards* something, often with the intent of interaction, but not necessarily a forceful or supervening impact.
* κατέρχομαι (`{{G2718}}`): "to come down." This emphasizes vertical descent, whereas ἐπέρχομαι emphasizes a coming *upon* or *over*.
Thematically, ἐπέρχομαι is connected to:
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The Holy Spirit's coming is a sovereign act of God.
* **Eschatology:** The "coming upon" of judgment and tribulation underscores the certainty of God's future dealings with humanity.
* **Spiritual Warfare:** The concept of one power "coming upon" and overcoming another is central to understanding spiritual conflict.
* **Prophetic Fulfillment:** The "coming upon" of prophetic words highlights their inevitable realization.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐπέρχομαι is profound, particularly in its varied applications:
1. **Divine Immanence and Empowerment:** Its use in relation to the Holy Spirit ([[Luke 1:35]], [[Acts 1:8]]) is foundational for understanding God's active presence and power in human lives and redemptive history. It signifies a divine visitation that is not merely passive presence but an active, enabling, and transformative infilling. This "coming upon" is a sovereign act of God, initiating new creation (Mary's conception) and empowering witness (Pentecost). It underscores the dynamic and personal nature of the Holy Spirit's ministry.
2. **Certainty of Divine Judgment and Eschatological Fulfillment:** The repeated use of ἐπέρχομαι in passages concerning impending judgment ([[Luke 21:26]], [[Luke 21:35]]; [[James 5:1]]) underscores the absolute certainty of God's justice and the fulfillment of His prophetic word. It conveys an unavoidable reality: what God has declared will indeed "come upon" humanity. This serves as both a warning to the unrepentant and an assurance to believers that God remains sovereign over history and will bring all things to their appointed end.
3. **Spiritual Conflict and Victory:** In [[Luke 11:22]], ἐπέρχομαι describes the stronger one overcoming the weaker. Theologically, this illustrates the reality of spiritual warfare and the ultimate triumph of Christ over the powers of darkness. It speaks to the decisive nature of Christ's victory and His ability to overcome any adversary, releasing those held captive.
In essence, ἐπέρχομαι consistently portrays an active, often decisive, and impactful "coming" from an external source, shaping destinies, fulfilling prophecies, and revealing the sovereign hand of God in both grace and judgment.
### Summary
The Greek verb ἐπέρχομαι (`{{G1904}}`) signifies an active and often impactful "coming upon" or "supervening." Rooted in ἐπί (upon) and ἔρχομαι (to come), its semantic range includes simple arrival, impending occurrence, hostile attack, and divine influence. Biblically, it is crucial for describing the sovereign and empowering descent of the Holy Spirit upon individuals for unique purposes ([[Luke 1:35]], [[Acts 1:8]]). It also powerfully conveys the certainty of impending divine judgment and tribulation upon the world ([[Luke 21:26]], [[Luke 21:35]]; [[James 5:1]]), as well as the fulfillment of prophetic warnings ([[Acts 13:40]]). Furthermore, it depicts the decisive overcoming of an adversary in spiritual conflict ([[Luke 11:22]]). Theologically, ἐπέρχομαι highlights God's active involvement in human affairs, whether through empowering grace, inevitable judgment, or ultimate victory over evil.
TRV