"pluperfect, ἐπεκέκλητο (3 sg), to call on; to attach or connect a name, Acts 15:17; Jas. 2:7; to attach an additional name, to surname, Mt. 10:3; pass. to receive an appellation or surname, Heb. 11:16; mid. to call upon, invoke, 2 Cor. 1:23; to appeal to, Acts 25:11, 12, 21"
Definition and meaning
pluperfect, ἐπεκέκλητο (3 sg), to call on; to attach or connect a name, Acts 15:17; Jas. 2:7; to attach an additional name, to surname, Mt. 10:3; pass. to receive an appellation or surname, Heb. 11:16; mid. to call upon, invoke, 2 Cor. 1:23; to appeal to, Acts 25:11, 12, 21
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐπικαλέω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of epikaleo (G1941) across the King James Bible.
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas,(which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
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Common questions
Strong's G1941 (epikaleo) is a Greek word that means: pluperfect, ἐπεκέκλητο (3 sg), to call on; to attach or connect a name, Acts 15:17; Jas. 2:7; to attach an additional name, to surname, Mt. 10:3; pass. to receive an appellation or surname, Heb. 11:16... It appears 32 times in the King James Bible.
The word epikaleo (G1941) appears 32 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1941 is epikaleo, a Greek word defined as: pluperfect, ἐπεκέκλητο (3 sg), to call on; to attach or connect a name, Acts 15:17; Jas. 2:7; to attach an additional name, to surname, Mt. 10:3; pass. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
epikaleo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.