"with the gen. or acc., to set the heart upon; to desire, long for, have earnest desire, Mt. 13:17; Lk. 15:16; to lust after, Mt. 5:28; spc. to covet, Rom. 13:9"
Definition and meaning
with the gen. or acc., to set the heart upon; to desire, long for, have earnest desire, Mt. 13:17; Lk. 15:16; to lust after, Mt. 5:28; spc. to covet, Rom. 13:9
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐπιθυμέω
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 epithumeo (G1937) across the King James Bible.
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
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Common questions
Strong's G1937 (epithumeo) is a Greek word that means: with the gen. or acc., to set the heart upon; to desire, long for, have earnest desire, Mt. 13:17; Lk. 15:16; to lust after, Mt. 5:28; spc. to covet, Rom. 13:9 It appears 16 times in the King James Bible.
The word epithumeo (G1937) appears 16 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1937 is epithumeo, a Greek word defined as: with the gen. or acc., to set the heart upon; to desire, long for, have earnest desire, Mt. 13:17; Lk. 15:16; to lust after, Mt. 5:28; spc. to covet, . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
epithumeo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.