Strong's Greek: 1872. ἐπακολουθέω (epakoloutheó) -- To follow closely, to accompany, to attend

Strong's Lexicon

epakoloutheó: To follow closely, to accompany, to attend

Original Word: ἐπακολουθέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epakoloutheó
Pronunciation: ep-ak-ol-oo-theh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ak-ol-oo-theh'-o)
Definition: To follow closely, to accompany, to attend
Meaning: I follow close after, accompany, dog; I imitate, pursue, am studious of.

Word Origin: From the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning "upon" or "after") and the verb ἀκολουθέω (akoloutheó, meaning "to follow").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἐπακολουθέω, the concept of following closely can be related to Hebrew words like רָדַף (radaph, Strong's H7291), meaning "to pursue" or "to follow after."

Usage: The verb ἐπακολουθέω (epakoloutheó) is used in the New Testament to describe the act of following closely or accompanying someone or something. It implies a sense of adherence or commitment, often in a spiritual or moral context. The term suggests not just physical following but also a deeper, more intentional pursuit or alignment with a person or teaching.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, following a teacher or leader was a common practice among disciples and students. This concept of following was not merely about physical presence but involved adopting the teachings and lifestyle of the leader. In the context of early Christianity, following Christ meant embracing His teachings and living according to His example, often in the face of persecution or societal pressure.

HELPS Word-studies

1872 epakolouthéō (from 1909 /epí, "on, fitting," which intensifies 190 /akolouthéō, "to follow") – properly, follow along as "fitting," i.e. as it morally corresponds to what leads; hence, to follow in close correspondence (connection).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from epi and akoloutheó
Definition
to follow after
NASB Translation
devoted herself (1), follow (1), follow after (1), followed (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1872: ἐπακολουθέω

ἐπακολουθέω, ἐπακολούθω; 1 aorist ἐπηκολούθησα; to follow (close) upon, follow after; in the N. T. only metaphorically, τοῖς ἴχνεσι τίνος, to tread in one's footsteps, i. e. to imitate his example, 1 Peter 2:21; with the dative of a person 1 Timothy 5:24 (opposed to προάγω, to go before; the meaning is, 'the sins of some men are manifest now, even before they are called to account, but the misdeeds of others are exposed when finally judgment is held'; cf. Huther (or Ellicott) at the passage); ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ, to be devoted to good works, 1 Timothy 5:10; used, with the dative of the person to be mentally supplied, of the miracles accompanying the preaching of Christ's ministers, Mark 16:20. (Aristophanes, Thucydides, Xenophon, Plato, and following; occasionally in the Sept..)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

follow after.

From epi and akoloutheo; to accompany -- follow (after).

see GREEK epi

see GREEK akoloutheo

Forms and Transliterations

επακολουθείτω επακολουθήσαι επακολουθήσατε επακολουθήσεις επακολουθήσετε επακολουθήση επακολουθησητε επακολουθήσητε ἐπακολουθήσητε επακολουθουντων επακολουθούντων ἐπακολουθούντων επακολουθουσιν επακολουθούσιν ἐπακολουθοῦσιν επηκολούθησε επηκολούθησέ επηκολουθησεν επηκολούθησεν ἐπηκολούθησεν epakolouthesete epakolouthēsēte epakolouthḗsete epakolouthḗsēte epakolouthounton epakolouthountōn epakolouthoúnton epakolouthoúntōn epakolouthousin epakolouthoûsin epekolouthesen epekoloúthesen epēkolouthēsen epēkoloúthēsen

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