UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to fall

Semantic entry: 15.118

Semantic domains: Linear Movement

Subdomains: Fall

Definition: to fall from one level to another{N:001}

Sense 2: to fall, to fall down

Semantic entry: 15.119

Semantic domains: Linear Movement

Subdomains: Fall

Definition: to fall from a standing or upright position down to the ground or surface{N:001}

Sense 3: to prostrate oneself before, to fall down before

Semantic entry: 17.22

Semantic domains: Stances and Events Related to Stances

Subdomains: Prostrate as an Act of Reverence or Supplication

Definition: to prostrate oneself before someone, implying supplication{N:002}

Notes: A strictly literal translation of προσπίπτω[a] or πίπτω[c], namely, to fall down before, can be entirely misleading in that it may suggest an accident caused by stumbling or tripping. It may therefore be necessary in a number of languages to translate to bow down low before or to bow down to the ground before.

Sense 4: to experience destruction, to be destroyed

Semantic entry: 20.60

Semantic domains: Violence, Harm, Destroy, Kill

Subdomains: Destroy

Definition: to suffer or experience destruction

Sense 5: to die

Semantic entry: 23.105

Semantic domains: Physiological Processes and States

Subdomains: Live, Die

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of πίπτω[a] ‘to fall,’ 15.118: καταπίπτω / 15.118: πίπτω) to fall down, as a euphemistic expression for a violent death

Notes: It is rare that one can employ a literal meaning of πίπτω as a euphemistic expression for ‘dying,’ since receptors are too likely to understand ‘to fall’ in a purely literal sense.

Sense 6: to stop, to cease, to fail

Semantic entry: 68.49

Semantic domains: Aspect

Subdomains: Cease, Stop

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of πίπτω[a] ‘to fall,’ 15.118: καταπίπτω / 15.118: πίπτω) to cease, with the possible implication of failure

Notes: For another interpretation of πίπτω in RV CO1 13:8 · LV CO1 13:8 · Read together CO1 13:8, see 75.7: ἐκπίπτω / 75.7: πίπτω.

Sense 7: to happen to, to fall upon

Semantic entry: 13.122

Semantic domains: Be, Become, Exist, Happen

Subdomains: Happen

Definition: to happen suddenly to, with the connotation of something bad and adverse

Notes: In this particular context it may be necessary to be somewhat more specific concerning the blindness that Elymas experienced. For example, one may render this expression as ‘suddenly a dark mist covered his eyes’ or ‘suddenly the eyes of Elymas became dark and misty’ (see 24.40: ἀχλύς).

Sense 8: to fall from, to worsen

Semantic entry: 13.59

Semantic domains: Be, Become, Exist, Happen

Subdomains: Change of State

Definition: to change for the worse, with emphasis upon extent and suddenness

Sense 9: to cease, to come to an end, to fall

Semantic entry: 13.97

Semantic domains: Be, Become, Exist, Happen

Subdomains: Exist

Definition: to cease to exist in a particular post or position

Sense 10: to become inadequate, to fail

Semantic entry: 75.7

Semantic domains: Adequate, Qualified

Definition: (figurative extension of meaning of πίπτω[a] ‘to fall,’ 15.118: καταπίπτω / 15.118: πίπτω) to become inadequate for some function

Notes: For another interpretation of πίπτω in RV CO1 13:8 · LV CO1 13:8 · Read together CO1 13:8, see 68.49: πίπτω.

Sense 11: to come to experience, to experience, to encounter, to be beset by

Semantic entry: 90.71

Semantic domains: Case

Subdomains: Experiencer

Definition: to experience somewhat suddenly that which is difficult or bad

Sense 12: to choose by lot, to select by lot

Semantic entry: 30.107

Semantic domains: Think

Subdomains: To Choose, To Select, To Prefer

Definition: (an idiom, literally: the lot falls upon someone) the process of choosing, with the probable implication of discerning God’s will in this manner

Notes: In some societies the closest natural equivalents of deciding by lot are procedures involving ‘drawing straws’ or ‘throwing dice’ or ‘throwing down sticks’ or ‘dropping pebbles.’

Collocations: ὁ κλῆρος πίπτει ἐπί τινα

Sense 13: to cause to suffer, to cause pain to

Semantic entry: 24.93

Semantic domains: Sensory Events and States

Subdomains: Pain, Suffering

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to fall upon someone) to cause someone suffering or harm

Notes: It is rare indeed that this idiom can ever be produced literally in other languages, though it may be possible to preserve some of the figurative impact by translating ‘nor will the heat of the sun ever cause them to suffer.’

Collocations: πίπτω ἐπί τινα

Sense 14: honor or disgrace depends on the person whom one serves

Semantic entry: 87.56

Semantic domains: Status

Subdomains: High Status or Rank [including persons of high status]

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to his own master he stands or falls, probably a familiar adage) whether one maintains one’s status or relationship to a master depends on the masters judgment or evaluation

Collocations: τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει

Sense 15: to be condemned, to suffer condemnation, to be judged guilty

Semantic entry: 56.32

Semantic domains: Courts and Legal Procedures

Subdomains: Judge, Condemn, Acquit

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to fall under judgment) to be condemned for acting contrary to laws and regulations

Notes: In the context of RV JAM 5:12 · LV JAM 5:12 · Read together JAM 5:12 the condemnation refers to God’s judgment.

Collocations: ὑπὸ κρίσιν πίπτω