Original Word: ἐπιτίθημι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epitithémi
Pronunciation: eh-pee-TEE-thay-mee
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-tith'-ay-mee)
KJV: add unto, lade, lay upon, put (up) on, set on (up), + surname, X wound
NASB: lay, laid, laying, put, applied, gave, add
Word Origin: [from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and G5087 (τίθημι - laid)]
1. to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense)
From epi and tithemi; to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense) -- add unto, lade, lay upon, put (up) on, set on (up), + surname, X wound.
see GREEK epi
see GREEK tithemi
1. Active:
a. to put or lay upon: τί ἐπί τί, Matthew 23:4; Matthew 27:29 R G L; Mark 4:21 R G; Luke 15:5; John 9:( b. to add to: Revelation 22:18 (opposed to ἀφαιρεῖν Revelation 22:19). 2. Middle; a. to have put on, bid to be laid on; τί ἐπί τί (Xenophon, Cyril 8, 2, 4): τά πρός τήν χρείαν, namely, τίνι, to provide one with the things needed (others, put on board namely, the ship), Acts 28:10. b. to lay or throw oneself upon; with the dative of person to attack one, to make an assault on one: Acts 18:10; Exodus 21:14; Exodus 18:11; 2 Chronicles 23:13, and often in secular writings; cf. Kuinoel at the passage; (Winer's Grammar, 593 (552). Compare: συνεπιτίθημι.) Of the thirty-nine New Testament occurrences, ἐπιτίθημι consistently conveys the idea of deliberately placing something (tangible or intangible) upon a person, object, or situation. The contexts divide naturally into four broad spheres: practical placement, gracious impartation, oppressive imposition, and hostile aggression. Together they trace a theology of authority—how godly authority blesses and heals while ungodly authority burdens and harms. Practical Placement 1. Clothing and coverings These texts emphasize mindful action: what is set in place remains until removed, whether honorific (garments on the colt) or humiliating (crown of thorns). 2. Written notice 3. Names and titles Gracious Impartation 1. Blessing of children 2. Healing ministry 3. Restoration of sight 4. Impartation of the Holy Spirit 5. Ordination and commissioning Oppressive Imposition 1. Religious or legal burdens 2. Extra-biblical additions 3. Physical punishment Hostile Aggression 1. Arrest and persecution While "laying hands on" for blessing imparts life, hostile laying on hands seeks to suppress it (implied in Acts 4:3; Acts 5:18—cognate uses). Scripture contrasts Christlike touch with coercive power. 2. Deadly threat averted Christological Significance The verb peaks at the cross. Soldiers lay a thorny crown and the charge "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" upon Him (John 19:2; Matthew 27:37). Humanity’s scorn is placed on Christ so that, by faith, His blessing may be placed on humanity. The irony—blessing through curse—anchors the gospel. Eschatological Caution Revelation 22:18 closes the canon by prohibiting any further "laying on" of words. The final book ends the prophetic deposit; to add is to invite judgment. The same verb that conferred healing now threatens plagues, underscoring that authority must remain within God’s boundaries. Practical Ministry Applications • Blessing and healing remain valid expressions of gospel compassion; believers "will lay hands on the sick, and they will be made well" (Mark 16:18). The verb’s diverse usage ultimately converges on a single truth: what God places, whether blessing, calling, or Word, must neither be withheld nor overshadowed by human additions.
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• Matthew 21:7; Luke 23:26; John 19:2 — garments, a cross-beam, and a crown of thorns are physically set on others.
• Matthew 27:37 — "Above His head they put the written charge against Him." The written accusation, once positioned, publicly declares intent and verdict, underscoring the permanence of prophetic fulfillment (Isaiah 53:3).
• Mark 3:16-17 — Jesus "gave the name" Peter to Simon and "Boanerges" to James and John. Naming lays identity upon disciples, illustrating Christ’s sovereign right to define His followers.
• Matthew 19:13-15 — Jesus lays hands on little ones, linking the act to intercessory prayer and divine favor.
• Luke 4:40; Mark 16:18; Mark 8:23-25; Luke 13:13; Acts 28:8 — "laying His hands on each one, He healed them." The physical touch signifies compassionate authority; recovery is immediate or progressive (Mark 8:25).
• John 9:15 — Jesus’ earlier act of anointing (verse 6) is recalled as something "He laid upon" the blind man’s eyes, reinforcing that healing power is something purposefully applied.
• Acts 8:17; Acts 9:17; Acts 19:6 — hands are laid, and the Spirit is received. The pattern confirms apostolic recognition and continuity of Pentecost.
• Acts 6:6; Acts 13:3; 1 Timothy 5:22 — authority for service is symbolically placed on qualified servants. Timothy is warned: "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands," safeguarding the church from untested leadership.
• Matthew 23:4 — leaders "tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders."
• Acts 15:10, 28 — the Jerusalem Council rejects adding the yoke of Mosaic ceremonialism to Gentile believers: "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place any further burden on you."
• Revelation 22:18 — a direct warning: "If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book." Human additions to divine revelation are depicted as self-destructive impositions.
• Acts 16:23 — many blows are "laid upon" Paul and Silas; Luke 10:30 similar wording for wounds inflicted by robbers. Here the verb highlights the weight and intent of violence.
• Acts 28:3 — the viper fastens on Paul’s hand as he "put the bundle of sticks on the fire." Even what is innocently set in place may invite attack, yet God preserves His servant.
• Leadership appointment requires prayer, fasting, and discernment; premature endorsement can compromise the flock (1 Timothy 5:22).
• Legalism and extrabiblical demands oppose apostolic teaching; the Spirit leads into liberty, not bondage (Acts 15:28).
• Scripture’s sufficiency must be guarded; ministry should "not go beyond what is written" (compare 1 Corinthians 4:6).
Matthew 19:13 V-ASA-3S
GRK: τὰς χεῖρας ἐπιθῇ αὐτοῖς καὶ
NAS: to Him so that He might lay His hands
KJV: he should put [his] hands on them, and
INT: [his] hands he might lay on them and
Matthew 19:15 V-APA-NMS
GRK: καὶ ἐπιθεὶς τὰς χεῖρας
NAS: After laying His hands
KJV: [his] hands on them,
INT: And having laid [his] hands
Matthew 21:7 V-AIA-3P
GRK: πῶλον καὶ ἐπέθηκαν ἐπ' αὐτῶν
NAS: and the colt, and laid their coats
KJV: the colt, and put on them
INT: colt and put upon them
Matthew 23:4 V-PIA-3P
GRK: δυσβάστακτα καὶ ἐπιτιθέασιν ἐπὶ τοὺς
NAS: burdens and lay them on men's
KJV: and lay [them] on
INT: hard to bear and lay [them] on the
Matthew 27:29 V-AIA-3P
GRK: ἐξ ἀκανθῶν ἐπέθηκαν ἐπὶ τῆς
NAS: of thorns, they put it on His head,
KJV: of thorns, they put [it] upon his
INT: of thorns they put [it] on the
Matthew 27:37 V-AIA-3P
GRK: καὶ ἐπέθηκαν ἐπάνω τῆς
NAS: His head they put up the charge against
KJV: And set up over his
INT: And they put up over the
Mark 3:16 V-AIA-3S
GRK: δώδεκα καὶ ἐπέθηκεν ὄνομα τῷ
NAS: Simon (to whom He gave the name
KJV: And Simon he surnamed Peter;
INT: twelve And he added [the] name to
Mark 3:17 V-AIA-3S
GRK: Ἰακώβου καὶ ἐπέθηκεν αὐτοῖς ὀνόματα
NAS: of James (to them He gave the name
KJV: and he surnamed them
INT: of James and he added to them [the] name
Mark 5:23 V-ASA-2S
GRK: ἵνα ἐλθὼν ἐπιθῇς τὰς χεῖρας
NAS: [please] come and lay Your hands
KJV: and lay thy hands
INT: [I pray] that having come you would lay the hands
Mark 6:5 V-APA-NMS
GRK: ὀλίγοις ἀρρώστοις ἐπιθεὶς τὰς χεῖρας
NAS: except that He laid His hands
KJV: save that he laid his hands
INT: on a few sick having laid the hands
Mark 7:32 V-ASA-3S
GRK: αὐτὸν ἵνα ἐπιθῇ αὐτῷ τὴν
NAS: and they implored Him to lay His hand
KJV: him to put his hand upon him.
INT: him that he might lay on him the
Mark 8:23 V-APA-NMS
GRK: ὄμματα αὐτοῦ ἐπιθεὶς τὰς χεῖρας
NAS: on his eyes and laying His hands
KJV: his eyes, and put his hands upon him,
INT: eyes of him having laid the hands
Mark 8:25 V-AIA-3S
GRK: εἶτα πάλιν ἐπέθηκεν τὰς χεῖρας
INT: Then again he laid the hands
Mark 16:18 V-FIA-3P
GRK: ἀρρώστους χεῖρας ἐπιθήσουσιν καὶ καλῶς
NAS: [poison], it will not hurt them; they will lay hands
KJV: hurt them; they shall lay hands on
INT: [the] sick hands they will lay and well
Luke 4:40 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: τὰς χεῖρας ἐπιτιθεὶς ἐθεράπευεν αὐτούς
NAS: brought them to Him; and laying His hands
KJV: he laid his hands on every one
INT: the hands having laid he healed them
Luke 10:30 V-APA-NMP
GRK: καὶ πληγὰς ἐπιθέντες ἀπῆλθον ἀφέντες
NAS: and they stripped him and beat him, and went away
INT: and wounds having inflicted went away having left [him]
Luke 13:13 V-AIA-3S
GRK: καὶ ἐπέθηκεν αὐτῇ τὰς
NAS: And He laid His hands
KJV: he laid [his] hands on her: and
INT: And he laid upon her the
Luke 15:5 V-PIA-3S
GRK: καὶ εὑρὼν ἐπιτίθησιν ἐπὶ τοὺς
NAS: When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders,
KJV: when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on
INT: And having found [it] he lays [it] on the
Luke 23:26 V-AIA-3P
GRK: ἀπ' ἀγροῦ ἐπέθηκαν αὐτῷ τὸν
NAS: in from the country, and placed on him the cross
KJV: him they laid the cross,
INT: from the country they put upon him the
John 9:15 V-AIA-3S
GRK: αὐτοῖς Πηλὸν ἐπέθηκέν μου ἐπὶ
NAS: And he said to them, He applied clay
KJV: He said unto them, He put clay upon
INT: to them Clay he put of me on
John 19:2 V-AIA-3P
GRK: ἐξ ἀκανθῶν ἐπέθηκαν αὐτοῦ τῇ
NAS: of thorns and put it on His head,
KJV: of thorns, and put [it] on his head,
INT: of thorns put [it] on of him the
Acts 6:6 V-AIA-3P
GRK: καὶ προσευξάμενοι ἐπέθηκαν αὐτοῖς τὰς
NAS: and after praying, they laid their hands
KJV: they laid [their] hands on them.
INT: and having prayed they laid on them the
Acts 8:17 V-IIA-3P
GRK: τότε ἐπετίθεσαν τὰς χεῖρας
NAS: Then they [began] laying their hands
KJV: Then laid they [their] hands on
INT: Then they laid the hands
Acts 8:19 V-ASA-1S
GRK: ᾧ ἐὰν ἐπιθῶ τὰς χεῖρας
NAS: on whom I lay my hands
KJV: whomsoever I lay hands,
INT: on whom if I might lay the hands
Strong's Greek 2007
39 Occurrences
ἐπέθηκαν — 6 Occ.
ἐπέθηκεν — 5 Occ.
ἐπέθεντο — 1 Occ.
ἐπετίθεσαν — 1 Occ.
ἐπιθῇ — 3 Occ.
ἐπιθῇς — 1 Occ.
ἐπιθήσει — 1 Occ.
ἐπιθήσεταί — 1 Occ.
ἐπιθήσουσιν — 1 Occ.
ἐπιθεῖναι — 1 Occ.
ἐπιθεὶς — 5 Occ.
ἐπιθέντα — 1 Occ.
ἐπιθέντες — 3 Occ.
ἐπιθέντος — 2 Occ.
ἐπίθες — 1 Occ.
ἐπιθῶ — 1 Occ.
ἐπιτίθησιν — 1 Occ.
ἐπιτιθέασιν — 1 Occ.
ἐπιτίθει — 1 Occ.
ἐπιτιθεὶς — 1 Occ.
ἐπιτίθεσθαι — 1 Occ.