from ἐπί and πορεύομαι; to journey further, i.e. travel on (reach):--come.
Transliteration:epiporeúomai
Pronunciation:ep-ee-por-yoo'-om-ahee
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb `{{G1975}}` (epiporeúomai) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐπί (epi), meaning "upon," "to," "in addition to," or denoting direction/intensity, and the common verb of motion πορεύομαι (poreúomai, `{{G4198}}`), meaning "to go," "to journey," or "to proceed." The combination suggests a nuanced movement: "to journey further," "to travel on," or "to proceed towards/through a specific point." The prefix ἐπί in this context emphasizes the directionality or continuation of the journey, indicating a movement that reaches or passes through a particular location, rather than a mere general going. It implies a purposeful progression, a reaching of a destination or a point along a route.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{G1975}}` appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 19:4]]**: "And he ran on before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way." (KJV)
* The context is the encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus in Jericho. Zacchaeus, being short, could not see Jesus because of the crowd. He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree, "for he was to pass that way" (ὅτι ἐκείνης ἔμελλεν διὰ ἐπιπορεύεσθαι).
* Here, ἐπιπορεύεσθαι describes Jesus's intended movement *through* Jericho. The accompanying preposition διὰ (dia), meaning "through," further specifies the nature of this journey. Jesus was not merely "going" or "coming" to Jericho in a general sense, but was actively "journeying through" the specific path where Zacchaeus had positioned himself. This highlights the intentionality of Jesus's route and His purposeful progression through the city, which providentially brought Him into the vicinity of Zacchaeus.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **πορεύομαι (poreúomai, `{{G4198}}`)**: The base verb for `{{G1975}}`, meaning "to go," "to journey," or "to travel." While πορεύομαι is a general term for movement, ἐπιπορεύομαι adds the specific nuance of "journeying further" or "passing through" a particular point, emphasizing direction and progression.
* **ἔρχομαι (erchomai, `{{G2064}}`)**: A very common verb meaning "to come" or "to go." It is more general than `{{G1975}}`, lacking the specific directional or progressive emphasis conveyed by the ἐπί prefix.
* **διέρχομαι (dierchomai, `{{G1330}}`)**: Meaning "to go through," "to pass through." This verb shares a strong semantic overlap with the specific usage of διὰ ἐπιπορεύεσθαι in [[Luke 19:4]]. Both convey the idea of traversing a space, often with a destination beyond.
* **Divine Itinerary/Purposeful Movement**: The concept of God's or Christ's movements being purposeful and intentional is a significant theological theme. Even seemingly incidental journeys are part of a larger divine plan, leading to specific encounters or fulfillments of prophecy.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, the use of `{{G1975}}` in [[Luke 19:4]] carries profound theological weight. It underscores the intentionality of Jesus's earthly ministry. His "passing through" Jericho was not a random or aimless journey, but a deliberate movement that brought Him into the very path of Zacchaeus. This highlights:
1. **Divine Providence**: Jesus's route was divinely orchestrated to intersect with Zacchaeus's desperate desire to see Him. The word emphasizes that God's encounters with humanity are often facilitated by His purposeful movements and presence in specific places.
2. **Intentionality of Salvation**: The fact that Jesus "was to pass that way" reveals His active pursuit of the lost. Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, was a marginalized and despised figure in society. Jesus's deliberate journey through Jericho, using a word that conveys directed progression, signifies His divine mission to seek and save the lost, regardless of their social standing or reputation.
3. **Christ's Active Ministry**: The word contributes to the understanding of Christ's ministry as dynamic and purposeful. Every step of His journey, from His birth to His crucifixion and resurrection, was part of a redemptive plan, leading to encounters that transformed lives.
### Summary
`{{G1975}}` (epiporeúomai) denotes the act of "journeying further" or "traveling on/through," emphasizing a directed and progressive movement. Though appearing only once in the New Testament, in [[Luke 19:4]], its usage is highly significant. It describes Jesus's purposeful movement through Jericho, highlighting the intentionality of His divine itinerary. This single occurrence underscores the theme of divine providence, revealing that Christ's movements were not accidental but divinely orchestrated to bring about encounters of salvation, such as that with Zacchaeus. The word thus contributes to our understanding of Jesus's active and purposeful ministry in seeking and saving the lost.
TRV