"the act of placing upon, imposition of hands, Acts 8:18; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6; Heb. 6:2*"
Definition and meaning
the act of placing upon, imposition of hands, Acts 8:18; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6; Heb. 6:2*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐπίθεσις
Historical context
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
These are the most notable occurrences of epithesis (G1936) across the King James Bible.
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
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Common questions
Strong's G1936 (epithesis) is a Greek word that means: the act of placing upon, imposition of hands, Acts 8:18; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6; Heb. 6:2* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word epithesis (G1936) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1936 is epithesis, a Greek word defined as: the act of placing upon, imposition of hands, Acts 8:18; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6; Heb. 6:2*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
epithesis is a Greek word found in the New Testament.