UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to call, to name

Semantic entry: 33.131

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Name

Definition: to use an attribution in speaking of a person

Notes: It is not always possible to determine from the context whether the act involved is an initial naming of a person or simply calling a person by a particular name. Likewise in the case of attributions or titles, it is not always possible to determine whether it is a matter of giving an attribution or title to a person or simply a matter of speaking of or to a person by means of such an attribution or title. In some instances the giving of a title may be made indirect. For example, in RV MAT 1:23 · LV MAT 1:23 · Read together MAT 1:23 the statement ‘and they will call his name Emmanuel’ suggests the giving of a title, but the process is stated in terms of how people will speak of this person.

Sense 2: to call upon, to appeal to, to ask for help

Semantic entry: 33.176

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Ask For, Request

Definition: to call upon someone to do something, normally implying an appeal for aid

Notes: ἐπικαλέομαι[a] also occurs in such expressions as ὅς ἂν ἐπικαλέσηται τὸ ὄνομα κυρίου (RV ACT 2:21 · LV ACT 2:21 · Read together ACT 2:21) ‘whoever calls upon the name of the Lord,’ but the meaning is essentially the same as ‘to call upon the Lord,’ since τὸ ὄνομα ‘the name’ may simply be a metonym for ‘the Lord.’

Forms: ἐπικαλέομαι[a]

Sense 3: to appeal one’s case, to appeal to a higher court

Semantic entry: 56.15

Semantic domains: Courts and Legal Procedures

Subdomains: Judicial Hearing, Inquiry

Definition: to claim one’s legal right to have a case reviewed by a higher tribunal

Notes: The second clause in RV ACT 26:32 · LV ACT 26:32 · Read together ACT 26:32 may also be rendered in a number of languages as ‘if he had not asked for the Emperor to listen to his case’ or ‘… to judge the accusations against him.’

Forms: ἐπικαλέομαι[b]

Sense 4: to be one of (God’s) people, to be the people of

Semantic entry: 11.28

Semantic domains: Groups and Classes of Persons and Members of Such Groups and Classes

Subdomains: Socio-Religious

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to have someone’s name called upon someone) to be acknowledged as belonging to the one whose name is called upon such an individual

Notes: This interpretation of the expression ἐπικαλέομαι τὸ ὄνομά τινος ἐπί τινα is based upon well attested OT usage, and though it is quite different from traditional interpretations of RV ACT 9:14 · LV ACT 9:14 · Read together ACT 9:14 and RV ACT 15:17 · LV ACT 15:17 · Read together ACT 15:17, it should be followed as reflecting a more satisfactory and accurate interpretation of the passive form of ἐπικαλέω.

Forms: ἐπικαλέομαι[c]

Collocations: ἐπικαλέομαι τὸ ὄνομά τινος ἐπί τινα