Original Word: ἐπιστρέφω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epistrephó
Pronunciation: eh-pee-STREF-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-stref'-o)
Definition: To turn, to return, to turn back, to convert
Meaning: (a) trans: I turn (back) to (towards), (b) intrans: I turn (back) (to [towards]); I come to myself.

come again, convert, return.

From epi and strepho; to revert (literally, figuratively or morally) -- come (go) again, convert, (re-)turn (about, again).

see GREEK epi

see GREEK strepho

Word Origin
from epi and strephó
Definition
to turn, to return
NASB Translation
back (2), back* (3), return (6), returned (3), returns (2), take back (1), turn (8), turn back (1), turned (6), turned again (1), turned around (1), turning (2), turning around (2), turns (2), turns...back (1).

STRONGS NT 1994: ἐπιστρέφω

ἐπιστρέφω; future ἐπιστρέψω; 1 aorist ἐπέστρεψα; 2 aorist passive ἐπεστραφην; from Homer down; the Sept. for הָפַך, סָבַב and הֵסֵב, פָּנָה, and times without number for שׁוּב and הֵשִׁיב;

1. transitively,

a. to turn to: ἐπί τόν Θεόν, to the worship of the true God, Acts 26:20.

b. to cause to return, to bring back; figuratively, τινα ἐπί κύριον τόν Θεόν, to the love and obedience of God, Luke 1:16; ἐπί τέκνα, to love for the children, Luke 1:17; ἐν φρονήσει δικαίων, that they may be in (R. V. to walk in) the wisdom of the righteous, Luke 1:17; τινα ἐπί τινα, supply from the context ἐπί τήν ἀλήθειαν and ἐπί τήν ὁδόν, James 5:19f.

2. intransitive, (Winers Grammar, § 38, 1 (compare p. 26; Buttmann, 144 (126f)));

a. to turn, to turn oneself: ἐπί τόν κύριον and ἐπί τόν Θεόν, of Gentiles passing over to the religion of Christ, Acts 9:35; Acts 11:21; Acts 14:15; Acts 15:19; Acts 26:20, cf. 1 Peter 2:25; πρός τί, Acts 9:40; πρός τόν Θεόν, 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 3:16; ἀπό τίνος εἰς τί, Acts 26:18.

b. to turn oneself about, turn back: absolutely, Acts 16:18; followed by an infinitive expressing purpose, Revelation 1:12.

c. to return, turn back, come back; α. properly: Luke 2:20 Rec.; ; Acts 15:36; with the addition of ὀπίσω (as in Aelian v. h. 1, 6 (variant)), followed by an infinitive of purpose, Matthew 24:18: followed by εἰς with the accusative of place, Matthew 12:44; (Luke 2:39 T WH Tr marginal reading); εἰς τά ὀπίσω, Mark 13:16; Luke 17:31; ἐπί τί, to, 2 Peter 2:22. β. metaphorically: ἐπί τί, Galatians 4:9; ἐπί τινα, Luke 17:4 Rec., but G omits ἐπί σε; πρός τινα, ibid. L T Tr WH; ἐκ τῆς ἐντολῆς, to leave the commandment and turn back to a worse mental and moral condition, 2 Peter 2:21 R G; absolutely, to turn back morally, to reform: Matthew 13:15; Mark 4:12; Luke 22:32; Acts 3:19; Acts 28:27. In the middle and 2 aorist passive a. to turn oneself about, to turn around: absolutely, Matthew 9:22 R G; Mark 5:30; Mark 8:33; John 21:20.

b. to return: followed by πρός (WH text ἐπί) τινα, Matthew 10:13 (on which passage see εἰρήνη, 3 at the end); ἐπί τόν Θεόν, 1 Peter 2:25 (see 2 a. above); to return to a better mind, repent, John 12:40 (R G).

Word Origin: From the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning "upon" or "towards") and the verb στρέφω (strephō, meaning "to turn").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • שׁוּב (shub) [Strong's Hebrew 7725]: This Hebrew verb means "to return" or "to turn back" and is often used in the Old Testament to describe returning to God or repenting from sin. It shares a similar semantic range with ἐπιστρέφω, emphasizing the act of turning or returning, both physically and spiritually.

Usage: The term ἐπιστρέφω is used in various contexts in the New Testament, including physical turning, returning to a place, and spiritual conversion or repentance. It appears in both literal and figurative senses.

Context: The Greek verb ἐπιστρέφω is a significant term in the New Testament, often used to describe a change in direction, whether physical or spiritual. In the Berean Standard Bible, it is frequently translated as "turn," "return," or "convert." This verb is used in contexts that emphasize a return to a previous state or a turning towards something new, often with a focus on repentance and conversion.

In the Gospels, ἐπιστρέφω is used to describe physical turning, such as when Jesus turns to speak to someone (e.g., Matthew 9:22). However, its more profound theological significance is found in passages that speak of spiritual conversion. For instance, in Acts 3:19, Peter calls for repentance and turning back to God: "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away."

The Apostle Paul also uses ἐπιστρέφω to describe the conversion of the Gentiles, as seen in Acts 26:18, where he recounts his mission to "open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God." This turning is not merely a change of belief but a comprehensive transformation involving the whole person.

Theologically, ἐπιστρέφω underscores the concept of repentance as a turning away from sin and a turning towards God. It is a pivotal term in understanding the New Testament's call to conversion and the transformative power of the Gospel.

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