### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb episképtomai (`{{G1980}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition epí (ἐπί), meaning "upon" or "over," and the base of skopós (σκοπός), meaning "a watcher" or "a mark to aim at." In its middle voice, episképtomai fundamentally conveys the idea of "looking upon" or "inspecting." This inspection, however, is not passive; it is purposeful and often carries an implication of active engagement.
Its semantic range extends to several key nuances:
1. **To inspect or examine carefully:** To scrutinize with a view to understanding or assessing a situation.
2. **To visit (with purpose):** This is a common meaning, implying a deliberate journey to see someone or something, often with a benevolent or supervisory intent. It is more than a casual call; it is a purposeful presence.
3. **To look out for, care for, relieve, or provide for:** This is a significant extension, where the act of "looking upon" leads directly to providing aid, comfort, or necessary provisions. It implies active compassion and practical assistance.
4. **To select or choose:** By inspecting, one might choose or appoint someone for a task or role.
5. **Divine visitation:** In a theological context, it refers to God's active intervention in human affairs, whether for redemption, judgment, or revelation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term episképtomai appears in various contexts throughout the New Testament, illustrating its rich semantic breadth:
* **Divine Visitation and Redemption:** In [[Luke 1:68]], Zechariah praises God, "for he has visited and redeemed his people." This refers to God's decisive intervention in history through the coming of the Messiah. Similarly, in [[Luke 7:16]], after Jesus raises the widow's son, the people declare, "God has visited his people." Here, the "visitation" signifies God's powerful and compassionate presence, demonstrating His authority over life and death. These instances highlight God's active, redemptive engagement with humanity.
* **Divine Selection and Inclusion:** In [[Acts 15:14]], James recounts how God "visited" the Gentiles "to take from them a people for his name." This usage emphasizes God's sovereign initiative and purposeful selection, demonstrating His expansive plan of salvation that includes all nations.
* **Human Compassion and Care:** The verb is frequently used to describe human acts of practical care and compassion. In [[Matthew 25:36]] and [[Matthew 25:43]], Jesus includes "visiting the sick" and "visiting those in prison" as essential acts of mercy, distinguishing those who truly serve Him. This underscores the ethical imperative for believers to actively engage with and provide for the vulnerable. [[James 1:27]] reinforces this, stating that "pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction." Here, episképtomai mandates an active, empathetic response to those in need, moving beyond mere sympathy to tangible aid.
* **Human Inspection or Oversight:** In [[Acts 7:23]], it is used of Moses "visiting" his brethren, the sons of Israel, indicating his desire to inspect their condition and likely to offer assistance. This reflects the sense of purposeful observation and concern.
* **Divine Providence and Attention:** In [[Hebrews 2:6]], quoting [[Psalm 8:4]], the phrase "What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him?" uses episképtomai for "care for" or "visit," highlighting God's profound attention and providential care for humanity, despite its seeming insignificance.
### Related Words & Concepts
Episképtomai is closely related to several other Greek terms, which illuminate its meaning and theological implications:
* Skopéō (σκοπέω) `{{G4648}}`: To look at, observe, consider. Episképtomai builds on this by adding the idea of purposeful, often benevolent, action to the act of looking.
* Skopós (σκοπός) `{{G4649}}`: A mark, goal, or aim. The root of episképtomai suggests a focused attention towards a specific objective or person.
* Episkopḗ (ἐπισκοπή) `{{G1984}}`: This is the noun form of episképtomai, meaning "oversight," "visitation," or "the office of an overseer/bishop." It denotes the responsibility of careful supervision and care, often with an administrative or pastoral dimension. The verb episképtomai describes the *action* of such oversight.
* Poimainō (ποιμαίνω) `{{G4165}}`: To shepherd, to feed, to rule. This word often describes the comprehensive care, guidance, and provision given by a shepherd to his flock, echoing the caring aspect of episképtomai.
* Diakonéō (διακονέω) `{{G1247}}`: To serve, to minister. This term emphasizes practical service, which aligns with the "relieve" or "provide for" sense of episképtomai in contexts of compassionate ministry.
* Therapeúō (θεραπεύω) `{{G2323}}`: To heal, to serve, to care for. This word also highlights active care and ministration, particularly in the context of healing and restoration.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of episképtomai is profound, touching upon both divine action and human responsibility.
1. **Divine Initiative and Immanence:** The frequent use of episképtomai to describe God's actions highlights His active involvement in creation and history. God is not a distant, detached deity but one who "visits" His people, drawing near to redeem, intervene, and reveal Himself. This concept underscores God's immanence and His personal concern for humanity. The ultimate "visitation" is the incarnation of Jesus Christ, where God fully entered human history to bring salvation.
2. **Redemptive Purpose:** God's "visitations" are consistently tied to His redemptive purposes. Whether through the coming of Christ, the empowering of His Spirit, or the inclusion of the Gentiles, episképtomai signifies God's purposeful movement towards the restoration and salvation of His creation.
3. **Mandate for Compassionate Ministry:** For believers, episképtomai serves as a powerful ethical and spiritual imperative. The call to "visit" the sick, the imprisoned, orphans, and widows is not merely a suggestion but a core expression of genuine faith and love. It signifies that true religion is not just about belief but about active, tangible care for the marginalized and vulnerable. This reflects the very character of God, who Himself "visits" those in need.
4. **Pastoral Oversight:** While the noun episkopē directly relates to the office of overseer, the verb episképtomai describes the *action* of such oversight – a careful, purposeful looking after the flock, ensuring their well-being and providing necessary care and guidance.
### Summary
The Greek verb episképtomai (`{{G1980}}`) encapsulates a rich and dynamic meaning, extending beyond mere observation to purposeful, active engagement. Its core sense of "looking upon" or "inspecting" invariably leads to action, whether it be visiting, caring for, relieving, or selecting. In the New Testament, it powerfully describes God's redemptive "visitations" to humanity, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ, demonstrating His profound care, sovereign initiative, and inclusive plan of salvation. Simultaneously, episképtomai serves as a vital call to believers, urging them to emulate God's compassionate character by actively "visiting" and ministering to the sick, imprisoned, orphaned, and widowed. This word thus bridges the divine and human realms, revealing God's active love and mandating a responsive, practical love from His followers.
TRV