UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to put on, to place on, to lay on

Semantic entry: 85.51

Semantic domains: Existence in Space

Subdomains: Put, Place

Definition: to place something on something

Sense 2: to add

Semantic entry: 59.72

Semantic domains: Quantity

Subdomains: Add, Subtract

Definition: to add something to an existing quantity

Notes: In a number of languages it is not at all difficult to speak of ‘adding things,’ but to add events may provide some special difficulties in restructuring. For example, in RV LUK 3:20 · LV LUK 3:20 · Read together LUK 3:20 it may be important to translate as ‘he had done many other bad things, but he also did this,’ and in RV GAL 2:6 · LV GAL 2:6 · Read together GAL 2:6 it may be helpful to translate ‘for those who were of repute did not say that I should do anything more than I was doing.’

Sense 3: to subject to

Semantic entry: 90.87

Semantic domains: Case

Subdomains: To Cause To Experience

Definition: to subject someone to a particular experience, normally by the use of force

Notes: In RV REV 22:18 · LV REV 22:18 · Read together REV 22:18, there is obviously a play on two different meanings of ἐπιτίθημι, ‘to add to’ and ‘to subject to.’ In the preceding clause ἐάν τις ἐπιθῇ ἐπ̓ αὐτά, the meaning is clearly ‘if anyone adds to these’ (see ἐπιτίθημι[b], 59.72: ἐπιτίθημι / 59.72: προσανατίθημι / 59.72: προστίθημι), but in the second clause there is both the addition as well as the subjection of a person to punishment.

Sense 4: to load down with obligations, to place a burden on the backs of

Semantic entry: 22.27

Semantic domains: Trouble, Hardship, Relief, Favorable Circumstances

Subdomains: Cause Trouble, Hardship

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to put a yoke upon the neck) to cause difficulty to someone by requiring conformity to rules and regulations

Collocations: ἐπιτίθημι ζυγὸν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον

Sense 5: to name, to give a name to

Semantic entry: 33.128

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Name

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to place a name) to give a name to, with the possible implication of an additional name

Collocations: ἐπιτίθημι ὄνομα

Sense 6: to give, to provide, to grant

Semantic entry: 57.78

Semantic domains: Possess, Transfer, Exchange

Subdomains: Give

Definition: to place something at the disposal of someone else

Forms: ἐπιτίθεμαι[a]

Sense 7: to attack, to assault

Semantic entry: 39.47

Semantic domains: Hostility, Strife

Subdomains: Attack

Definition: to use sudden physical force against someone as the outgrowth of a hostile attitude

Notes: In a number of languages the equivalent of ‘to attack’ is simply ‘to start fighting against.’ In some languages, however, the equivalent is ‘to jump on’ or ‘to grab to do harm to.’

Forms: ἐπιτίθεμαι[b]