Strong's Lexicon epispaomai: To draw over, to pull over, to cover Original Word: ἐπισπάομαι Word Origin: From the Greek prefix ἐπί (epi, meaning "upon" or "over") and σπάω (spao, meaning "to draw" or "to pull"). Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἐπισπάομαι, as the concept of reversing circumcision is not present in the Hebrew Scriptures. However, circumcision itself is a significant theme, with entries such as Strong's Hebrew 4135 (מוּל, mul) for "to circumcise." Usage: The verb ἐπισπάομαι is used in the New Testament to describe the act of drawing over or pulling over, specifically in the context of circumcision. It refers to the practice of attempting to reverse circumcision, a procedure that some Jewish men underwent in the Greco-Roman world to assimilate into non-Jewish society and avoid social stigma. Cultural and Historical Background: In the first-century Greco-Roman world, circumcision was a distinctive mark of Jewish identity. However, during this period, Hellenistic culture was highly influential, and many Jews faced pressure to conform to Greek customs and norms. Some Jewish men sought to hide their circumcision to participate fully in Greek social and athletic life, where nudity was common. The process of ἐπισπάομαι was a physical attempt to reverse circumcision, reflecting the tension between maintaining Jewish identity and assimilating into the broader Hellenistic culture. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1986: ἐπισπάωἐπισπάω, ἐπίσπω: from Aeschylus down; to draw on: μή ἐπισπάσθω, namely, ἀκροβυστίαν, let him not draw on his foreskin (Hesychius μή ἐπισπάσθω. Μή ἑλκυέτω τό δέρμα) (A. V. let him not become uncircumcised), 1 Corinthians 7:18. From the days of Antiochus Epiphanes ( STRONGS NT 1986a: ἐπισπείρωἐπισπείρω: 1 aorist ἐπεσπειρα; to sow above or besides: Matthew 13:25 L T Tr WH. (Herodotus, Theophrastus, (others).) From epi and spao; to draw over, i.e. (with akrobustia implied) efface the mark of circumcision (by recovering with the foreskin) -- become uncircumcised. see GREEK epi see GREEK spao see GREEK akrobustia Englishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 7:18 V-PMM/P-3SGRK: ἐκλήθη μὴ ἐπισπάσθω ἐν ἀκροβυστίᾳ NAS: [when he was already] circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone KJV: not become uncircumcised. Is INT: was called not let him be uncircumcised in uncircumcision |
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