Refiner Word Study epistello (G1989)
G1989  ·  Greek  ·  Strong's Concordance
ἐπιστέλλω
epistello
3 occurrences in Scripture Greek

"to send word to, to send injunctions, Acts 15:20; 21:25; to write to, write a letter, Heb. 13:22*"

Study epistello in Refiner Open Bible study app

Definition and meaning

What does epistello mean in Greek?

3
Occurrences in Scripture
G1989
Strong's number
Greek
Original language

to send word to, to send injunctions, Acts 15:20; 21:25; to write to, write a letter, Heb. 13:22*

In the original Greek the word is written: ἐπιστέλλω

Historical context

What was happening when this word was written?

Early Church Period (c. AD 30-62)

The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.

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

Top 3 Bible verses with epistello

These are the most notable occurrences of epistello (G1989) across the King James Bible.

Acts 15:20

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Acts 21:25

As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

Hebrews 13:22

And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

Go deeper with epistello

Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.

Mounce & Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicons
AI Deep Insight on every verse
Historical commentary
Cross-references across Scripture
Voice Study mode
Study epistello in Refiner →

Free to start  ·  Disciple $4.99/mo  ·  Shepherd $9.99/mo

Common questions

Frequently asked questions about epistello

What does epistello mean in Greek?

Strong's G1989 (epistello) is a Greek word that means: to send word to, to send injunctions, Acts 15:20; 21:25; to write to, write a letter, Heb. 13:22* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.

How many times does epistello appear in the Bible?

The word epistello (G1989) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.

What is Strong's number G1989?

Strong's G1989 is epistello, a Greek word defined as: to send word to, to send injunctions, Acts 15:20; 21:25; to write to, write a letter, Heb. 13:22*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.

Is epistello in the Old Testament or New Testament?

epistello is a Greek word found in the New Testament.