### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **ἐπιλείπω (epileípō)**, represented by `{{G1952}}`, is defined as to leave upon, or figuratively, to be insufficient for. Its English rendering is to fail. This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only **1 times** in **1 unique verses** in the entire Bible, making its single usage particularly noteworthy.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{G1952}}` is in [[Hebrews 11:32]]. In this verse, the author, after listing several heroes of the faith, rhetorically asks what more he should say. He uses **epileípō** to state that "the time would **fail** me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak... and of the prophets." Here, the word conveys the idea that time itself is an insufficient resource to fully recount the great cloud of witnesses. It is not a failure of will or memory, but an acknowledgment of the limitation of time when faced with the vastness of faith's history [[Hebrews 11:32]].
### Related Words & Concepts
The context of `{{G1952}}` in its only verse is illuminated by the words used alongside it:
* `{{G5550}}` **chrónos** (a space of time): This is the specific thing that would "fail." The verse states that **time** would be insufficient, highlighting the contrast between a finite duration and the extensive history of faith [[Hebrews 11:32]].
* `{{G1334}}` **diēgéomai** (to relate fully): This word defines the action that cannot be completed due to the lack of time. The author wishes to **tell** or declare the full stories, but time would fail him, making a full relation impossible [[Hebrews 11:32]].
* `{{G3004}}` **légō** (to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words)): The passage opens with the question "what shall I more **say**?" This sets the stage for the use of `{{G1952}}`, as the author concludes that time would fail before he could say everything [[Hebrews 11:32]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G1952}}` is tied directly to its specific application in the Hebrews narrative.
* **Finite Time vs. Infinite Faithfulness:** The primary point conveyed is the insufficiency of human time to capture the full extent of God's work through his people. The "failure" of time emphasizes the vast scope of faith's legacy [[Hebrews 11:32]].
* **Rhetorical Magnification:** By stating that time would fail, the author powerfully implies that the list of faithful individuals is far greater than what can be named. This literary device magnifies the very concept of faith and the "great cloud of witnesses."
* **Transition and Scope:** The use of `{{G1952}}` serves as a crucial transition, moving the reader from a list of specific individuals like David and Samuel to the broader, collective group of "the prophets," whose stories are too numerous to detail individually [[Hebrews 11:32]].
### Summary
In summary, while `{{G1952}}` is a rare term, its single use is highly effective. It means to be insufficient for a task, and in its biblical context, it is time itself that is insufficient. Used in [[Hebrews 11:32]], **epileípō** powerfully illustrates the limit of human capacity to recount the endless story of faith. It serves as a masterful rhetorical device, emphasizing that the examples of faith throughout history are too numerous to be contained in a single narrative.
TRV