ἐπιταγή
An injunction or decree; by implication, authoritativeness
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What does ἐπιταγή (epitagḗ) mean in the Bible?
ἐπιταγή (epitagḗ) is a Greek word meaning "an injunction or decree; by implication, authoritativeness". ἐπι-ταγή, -ῆς, ἡ (ἐπιτάσσω), [in LXX: Dan LXX 3:16 (פִּתְגָּם), I Est. This term runs through the canonical themes of Messiah.
Full entry for ἐπιταγή (G2003) · Browse the biblical lexicon
Meaning
Authoritative command carrying weight of official decree; conveys binding force beyond mere request.
(ἐπιτάσσω), [in LXX: Dan LXX 3:16 (פִּתְגָּם), I Est.1:18, Wis.14:16 18:16 19:6, 3Ma.7:20 * ;] = cl., ἐπίταγμα, a command, Rom.16:26, 1Co.7:6 7:25, 2Co.8:8, 1Ti.1:1, Tit.1:3 (for use in Inscr. of divine commands, see MM, Exp., xiv); μετὰ πάσης ἐ, with all authority: Tit.2:15.
Why This Word Matters
Paul's apostleship arises "by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope" (1:1). This underlines that the pastoral instructions are part of God's saving directive, not Paul's personal ambition. It also anticipates the theme of divine entrustment and stewardship that recurs in 1:11, 1:18, and 6:20. 1 Timothy 1:1-2
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
New Testament Witnesses
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain