The Greek word epidídōmi, represented by G1929, is built from the words ἐπί and δίδωμι and means to give over by hand or surrender. It appears 12 times across 10 unique verses in the Bible. Its usage often implies a specific, deliberate act of handing an object to someone, delivering something, or offering it.
In biblical usage, G1929 appears in several distinct contexts. It is used literally when Jesus gave bread to the disciples Luke 24:30 and when they gave him a piece of fish and honeycomb Luke 24:42. It is also used when an important text, such as the book of Isaiah, was delivered to Jesus to read Luke 4:17 or when an epistle was delivered to the church at Antioch Acts 15:30. The word appears in a series of rhetorical questions in the Gospels, where Jesus asks if a father would give his son a stone instead of bread or a serpent instead of a fish (Matthew 7:9-10, Luke 11:11). In a unique instance, it describes the act of surrendering to nature, where a ship's crew let her drive in a storm Acts 27:15.
Several related words help clarify the meaning of G1929:
- G1325 dídōmi: As the root of epidídōmi, this word means to give in a very wide application. It is used in profound contexts, such as God having given us a spirit not of fear but of power 2 Timothy 1:7, or Jesus giving his peace to his followers John 14:27.
- G2983 lambánō: This word means to take or receive and often acts as the counterpart to giving. It is used when the disciples are told they will receive power from the Holy Ghost Acts 1:8 or when believers received him and were given power to become the sons of God John 1:12.
- G3361 mḗ: This is a particle of qualified negation, meaning not or lest. It is frequently paired with G1929 in Jesus's parables to form a question implying a negative answer, such as asking if a father will not give his son a stone when asked for bread Matthew 7:9.
The application of G1929 carries significant weight in the passages where it appears.
- Illustrating Divine Character: The word is central to Jesus's teachings on God's nature as a provider. By asking what earthly father would give a stone or a serpent, he emphasizes that our heavenly Father gives good gifts (Luke 11:11-12, Matthew 7:9-10).
- The Act of Delivering God's Word: The physical act of delivering scripture is described with this term. It is used when the scroll of Isaiah was delivered to Jesus in the synagogue Luke 4:17 and when the apostles delivered the epistle to the believers in Antioch Acts 15:30, underscoring the importance of transmitting the divine message.
- Pivotal and Symbolic Actions: The word marks key moments in the narrative. Jesus gave the sop to Judas as a sign of betrayal John 13:26. In contrast, after his resurrection, he gave bread to the disciples in an act of fellowship and recognition Luke 24:30.
In summary, G1929 is a precise verb that describes more than a simple transaction. It denotes a purposeful act of handing over, delivering, or offering. From the literal giving of food and the delivery of sacred texts to its use in parables illustrating God's goodness, epidídōmi highlights the importance of the act of giving. It even extends to the concept of surrender, as seen when sailors let her drive, yielding their ship to the power of a storm.
TRV