"to overshadow, Mt. 17:5; met. to shed influence upon, Lk. 1:35"
Definition and meaning
to overshadow, Mt. 17:5; met. to shed influence upon, Lk. 1:35
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐπισκιάζω
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 episkiazo (G1982) across the King James Bible.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
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Common questions
Strong's G1982 (episkiazo) is a Greek word that means: to overshadow, Mt. 17:5; met. to shed influence upon, Lk. 1:35 It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word episkiazo (G1982) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1982 is episkiazo, a Greek word defined as: to overshadow, Mt. 17:5; met. to shed influence upon, Lk. 1:35. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
episkiazo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.