Original Word: ἐπάνω
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: epanó
Pronunciation: eh-pah'-no
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-an'-o)
KJV: above, more than, (up-)on, over
NASB: over, above, more than
Word Origin: [from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and G507 (ἄνω - above)]

1. up above, i.e. over or on (of place, amount, rank, etc.)

above, more than, upon, over.

From epi and ano; up above, i.e. Over or on (of place, amount, rank, etc.) -- above, more than, (up-)on, over.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK ano

Word Origin
from epi and anó
Definition
above, more than
NASB Translation
above (3), more than (1), over (7).

STRONGS NT 1883: ἐπάνω

ἐπάνω, adverb (ἐπί and ἄνω (cf. Winers Grammar, 102 (97); Buttmann, 319 (273))), Herodotus and following; often in the Sept.; above;

1. adverbially,

a. of place: Luke 11:44;

b. of number; beyond, more than: πραθῆναι ἐπάνω τριακοσίων δηναρίων, sold for more than three hundred denaries, Mark 14:5; ὤφθη ἐπάνω πεντακοσίοις ἀδελφοῖς, by more than five hundred brethren, 1 Corinthians 15:6; cf. Winers Grammar, § 37, 5; (Buttmann, 168 (146)).

2. as a preposition it is joined with the genitive (Winer's Grammar, § 54, 6), a. of place: Matthew 2:9; Matthew 5:14; Matthew 21:7 R G; ,(); ; Luke 4:39; (Luke 10:19); Revelation 6:8 (WH brackets the genitive); ( Tr text).

b. of dignity and power: ἐξουσίαν ἔχειν ἐπάνω τίνος, Luke 19:17 (); ἐπάνω πάντων ἐστι, John 3:31a (31b (but here G T WH marginal reading omit the clause)).

STRONGS NT 1883a: ἐπάρατοςἐπάρατος, ἐπαρατον (ἐπαράομαι (to call down curses upon)), accursed: John 7:49 L T Tr WH. (Thucydides, Plato, Aeschin, Dio Cass., others.)

Overview

Strong’s Greek 1883 (ἐπάνω) consistently conveys the idea of something “above, over, on” or “more than.” The word ranges from literal spatial placement to figurative superiority or delegated authority. Its nineteen New Testament occurrences cluster in three chief domains: (1) physical elevation, (2) superiority in rank or power, and (3) quantitative excess.

Physical Elevation: Signs, Settings, and Symbols

• Divine guidance and worship: “The star…stood over the place where the Child was” (Matthew 2:9). The celestial positioning signals sovereign direction, drawing worshipers to Messiah.
• Visibility of testimony: “A city on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). The disciples’ public witness must stand conspicuously “above,” not concealed.
• Public proclamation at the cross: “Above His head they posted the written charge” (Matthew 27:37). The superscription reinforces the irony of Christ’s kingship.
• Resurrection vindication: The angel “sat on” the rolled-back stone (Matthew 28:2), emphasizing triumph over the grave.
• Healing posture: Jesus “stood over her and rebuked the fever” (Luke 4:39), a visual reinforcement of His authority over sickness.
• Old-covenant critique: The gift placed “on the altar” (Matthew 23:18-22) highlights superficial ritualism versus true devotion.

Moral and Didactic Elevation

Jesus’ entering Jerusalem “sat on” the cloaks spread over the colt (Matthew 21:7), presenting Him as the humble yet exalted King. He likens unrepentant Pharisees to tombs “over which people walk”(Luke 11:44), illustrating hidden defilement beneath an apparently elevated surface.

Superiority of Christ from Above

John stresses absolute supremacy: “He who comes from above is above all” (John 3:31). The double use of ἐπάνω underscores the Son’s heavenly origin and unrivaled authority, anchoring Johannine Christology in vertical transcendence.

Delegated Authority to Believers

• Spiritual warfare: “I have given you authority…over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19). The preposition marks domain—believers operate from a position “over” demonic opposition.
• Stewardship now, reward later: Faithful servants are placed “over ten cities…over five cities” (Luke 19:17, 19). Present obedience yields future administrative roles in the kingdom.
• Apostolic scope: The Four Horsemen are granted power “over a fourth of the earth” (Revelation 6:8), and Satan is sealed “over him” in the Abyss (Revelation 20:3), accenting divine control of cosmic events.

Quantitative Force: “More Than”

When value or number exceeds expectation, ἐπάνω supplies the comparative: perfume worth “more than three hundred denarii” (Mark 14:5) and the risen Christ appearing to “more than five hundred brothers at once” (1 Corinthians 15:6). In both cases the term magnifies generosity—Mary’s costly worship and the vast eyewitness pool validating the resurrection.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

1. Witness: Like the hilltop city, the church must remain visibly “above,” refusing compromise that dims gospel light.
2. Spiritual Confidence: Christ’s victory “over” sin, sickness, and death assures believers of delegated authority in mission and prayer.
3. Hope of Reward: Faithfulness in small matters today secures administrative trust “over” greater responsibilities in the coming kingdom.
4. Christ-exalting Focus: Every use that points “above” ultimately directs eyes to the exalted Lord whose supremacy is both positional and practical.

Historical Context and Consistency

First-century Jews naturally associated “above” with God’s throne (Isaiah 6:1). Jesus’ repeated insistence that swearing “by heaven” is swearing “by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it” (Matthew 23:22) harmonizes with the Old Testament view of heaven’s loftiness. The New Testament writers, steeped in this worldview, employ ἐπάνω to affirm continuity: the Almighty remains enthroned “above all,” yet has drawn near in the incarnate Son.

Eschatological Outlook

In Revelation, ἐπάνω frames ultimate victory: judgments unleashed “over” the earth culminate in Satan being sealed “over” with a divine seal (Revelation 20:3). The same Lord who once sat “on” a humble colt will soon sit “over” the nations in manifest glory.

Conclusion

Whether marking a star above Bethlehem, an angel atop a stone, or Christ ruling over all, ἐπάνω repeatedly lifts the reader’s gaze. It calls believers to live from the elevated realities of Christ’s supremacy, exercise delegated authority responsibly, and anticipate the day when every power will be forever beneath His feet.

επανω επάνω ἐπάνω επάνωθεν επάνωθέν επαοιδαίς επαοιδήν επαοιδοί επαοιδοίς επαοιδόν επαοιδός επαοιδούς επαοιδών επαποστείλαι επαποστελεί επαποστέλλω επαποστελώ epano epanō epáno epánōInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts