Original Word: ἐπιτίθημι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epitithémi
Pronunciation: eh-pee-TEE-thay-mee
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-tith'-ay-mee)
KJV: add unto, lade, lay upon, put (up) on, set on (up), + surname, X wound
NASB: lay, laid, laying, put, applied, gave, add
Word Origin: [from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and G5087 (τίθημι - laid)]

1. to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense)

add unto, lay upon, put upon.

From epi and tithemi; to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense) -- add unto, lade, lay upon, put (up) on, set on (up), + surname, X wound.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK tithemi

Word Origin
from epi and tithémi
Definition
to lay upon, to place upon
NASB Translation
add (1), adds (1), applied (2), attack (1), beat* (1), gave (2), laid (9), lay (10), laying (5), lays (1), placed (1), placing (1), put (4), struck (1), supplied (1).

STRONGS NT 2007: ἐπιτίθημι

ἐπιτίθημι, 3 person plural ἐπιτιθεασι (Matthew 23:4; cf. Winers Grammar, § 14, 1 b.; Buttmann, 44 (38); Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. i., p. 505; Kühner, i., p. 643; (Jelf, § 274; and on this and following forms see Veitch, see under the words, τίθημι, τιθέω)), imperative ἐπιτίθει (1 Timothy 5:22; see Matthiae, § 210, 2 and 6; Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. i., p. 508; Kühner, § 209, 5; (Jelf, § 274 obs. 4)); imperfect 3 person plural ἐπετίθουν (Acts 8:17 R G), ἐπετίθεσαν, (ibid., L T Tr WH; cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. i., p. 509; Buttmann, 45 (39)); future ἐπιθήσω; 1 aorist ἐπέθηκα; 2 aorist ἐπεθην, imperative ἐπίθες (Matthew 9:18; Genesis 48:18; Judges 18:19); middle (present ἐπιτίθεμαι); future ἐπιθήσομαι; 2 aorist ἐπεθεμην; (1 aorist passive ἐπετεθην (Mark 4:21 R G)); in the Sept. chiefly for נָתַן, שׂוּם and הֵשִׂים;

1. Active:

a. to put or lay upon: τί ἐπί τί, Matthew 23:4; Matthew 27:29 R G L; Mark 4:21 R G; Luke 15:5; John 9:( WH text Tr marginal reading), ; ( L marginal reading, see below); Acts 15:10 (cf. Winers Grammar, 318 (298); Buttmann, 261 (224)); ; τί ἐπί τίνος, the genitive of thing, Matthew 27:29 T Tr WH; ἐν with the dative of thing, Matthew 27:29 L T Tr WH; τήν χεῖρα (or τάς χεῖρας or χεῖρας) ἐπί τινα, Matthew 9:18; Mark 8:25 ((WH Tr text ἔθηκεν)); ; Acts 8:17; (Acts 9:17); Revelation 1:17 Rec.; ἐπί τινα πληγάς, calamities, Revelation 22:18 (but see b. below); ἐπάνω τίνος, Matthew 21:7 R G; ; ἐπί τίνος, Luke 8:16 R G; τί τίνι, Luke 23:26; John 19:2 (not L marginal reading, see above); Acts 15:28; τίνι ὄνομα, Mark 3:16f; τίνι τάς χεῖρας, Matthew 19:13 (cf. Buttmann, 233 (201); Winer's Grammar, 288 (270f)), 15; Mark 5:23; (Mark 8:23, here Tr marginal reading αὐτοῦ); Luke 4:40; Luke 13:13; Acts 6:6; Acts 8:19; Acts 13:3; Acts 19:6; Acts 28:8; 1 Timothy 5:22; (τίνι τήν χεῖρα, Mark 7:32); χεῖρα (R G, χεῖρας or τάς χεῖρας L T Tr WH), Acts 9:12; τίνι πληγάς, to inflict blows, lay stripes on one, Luke 10:30; Acts 16:23.

b. to add to: Revelation 22:18 (opposed to ἀφαιρεῖν Revelation 22:19).

2. Middle;

a. to have put on, bid to be laid on; τί ἐπί τί (Xenophon, Cyril 8, 2, 4): τά πρός τήν χρείαν, namely, τίνι, to provide one with the things needed (others, put on board namely, the ship), Acts 28:10.

b. to lay or throw oneself upon; with the dative of person to attack one, to make an assault on one: Acts 18:10; Exodus 21:14; Exodus 18:11; 2 Chronicles 23:13, and often in secular writings; cf. Kuinoel at the passage; (Winer's Grammar, 593 (552). Compare: συνεπιτίθημι.)

General Theme

Of the thirty-nine New Testament occurrences, ἐπιτίθημι consistently conveys the idea of deliberately placing something (tangible or intangible) upon a person, object, or situation. The contexts divide naturally into four broad spheres: practical placement, gracious impartation, oppressive imposition, and hostile aggression. Together they trace a theology of authority—how godly authority blesses and heals while ungodly authority burdens and harms.

Practical Placement

1. Clothing and coverings
• Matthew 21:7; Luke 23:26; John 19:2 — garments, a cross-beam, and a crown of thorns are physically set on others.

These texts emphasize mindful action: what is set in place remains until removed, whether honorific (garments on the colt) or humiliating (crown of thorns).

2. Written notice
• Matthew 27:37 — “Above His head they put the written charge against Him.” The written accusation, once positioned, publicly declares intent and verdict, underscoring the permanence of prophetic fulfillment (Isaiah 53:3).

3. Names and titles
• Mark 3:16-17 — Jesus “gave the name” Peter to Simon and “Boanerges” to James and John. Naming lays identity upon disciples, illustrating Christ’s sovereign right to define His followers.

Gracious Impartation

1. Blessing of children
• Matthew 19:13-15 — Jesus lays hands on little ones, linking the act to intercessory prayer and divine favor.

2. Healing ministry
• Luke 4:40; Mark 16:18; Mark 8:23-25; Luke 13:13; Acts 28:8 — “laying His hands on each one, He healed them.” The physical touch signifies compassionate authority; recovery is immediate or progressive (Mark 8:25).

3. Restoration of sight
• John 9:15 — Jesus’ earlier act of anointing (verse 6) is recalled as something “He laid upon” the blind man’s eyes, reinforcing that healing power is something purposefully applied.

4. Impartation of the Holy Spirit
• Acts 8:17; Acts 9:17; Acts 19:6 — hands are laid, and the Spirit is received. The pattern confirms apostolic recognition and continuity of Pentecost.

5. Ordination and commissioning
• Acts 6:6; Acts 13:3; 1 Timothy 5:22 — authority for service is symbolically placed on qualified servants. Timothy is warned: “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,” safeguarding the church from untested leadership.

Oppressive Imposition

1. Religious or legal burdens
• Matthew 23:4 — leaders “tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders.”
• Acts 15:10, 28 — the Jerusalem Council rejects adding the yoke of Mosaic ceremonialism to Gentile believers: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place any further burden on you.”

2. Extra-biblical additions
• Revelation 22:18 — a direct warning: “If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.” Human additions to divine revelation are depicted as self-destructive impositions.

3. Physical punishment
• Acts 16:23 — many blows are “laid upon” Paul and Silas; Luke 10:30 similar wording for wounds inflicted by robbers. Here the verb highlights the weight and intent of violence.

Hostile Aggression

1. Arrest and persecution

While “laying hands on” for blessing imparts life, hostile laying on hands seeks to suppress it (implied in Acts 4:3; Acts 5:18—cognate uses). Scripture contrasts Christlike touch with coercive power.

2. Deadly threat averted
• Acts 28:3 — the viper fastens on Paul’s hand as he “put the bundle of sticks on the fire.” Even what is innocently set in place may invite attack, yet God preserves His servant.

Christological Significance

The verb peaks at the cross. Soldiers lay a thorny crown and the charge “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” upon Him (John 19:2; Matthew 27:37). Humanity’s scorn is placed on Christ so that, by faith, His blessing may be placed on humanity. The irony—blessing through curse—anchors the gospel.

Eschatological Caution

Revelation 22:18 closes the canon by prohibiting any further “laying on” of words. The final book ends the prophetic deposit; to add is to invite judgment. The same verb that conferred healing now threatens plagues, underscoring that authority must remain within God’s boundaries.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Blessing and healing remain valid expressions of gospel compassion; believers “will lay hands on the sick, and they will be made well” (Mark 16:18).
• Leadership appointment requires prayer, fasting, and discernment; premature endorsement can compromise the flock (1 Timothy 5:22).
• Legalism and extrabiblical demands oppose apostolic teaching; the Spirit leads into liberty, not bondage (Acts 15:28).
• Scripture’s sufficiency must be guarded; ministry should “not go beyond what is written” (compare 1 Corinthians 4:6).

The verb’s diverse usage ultimately converges on a single truth: what God places, whether blessing, calling, or Word, must neither be withheld nor overshadowed by human additions.

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