Imposed (1945) (epikeimai from epí = upon + keímai = to lie on) means to lie upon, to be placed on, to lie on (literally of the stone against Jesus' tomb - Jn 21:9, of fish on the fire of coals - Jn 21:9). Metaphorically as used here in Hebrews 9, epikeimai means imposed upon and has the force of obligation, thus speaking speaks of necessity.
Another metaphorical meaning is to be insistent (pictures one keeping putting pressure on so to speak) in Lk 23:23. The idea is to act upon through force or pressure. The people were in a sense piling evidence on top of Pilate (so to speak), nearly burying him with reasons he need to sentence Jesus to crucifixion (cf Pilate's efforts in Jn 19:12) A T Robertson adds that epikeimai was "an old verb for the rush and swirl of a tempest...Pilate was overwhelmed by this tornado."
In Acts 27:20 epikeimai conveys the metaphorical sense of assailing, picturing the storm "pressing upon" their boat.
Epikeimai - 7x in 7v - Usage: am under(1), assailing(1), imposed(1), insistent(1), lying(1), placed(1), pressing around(1). Lxx Uses = Ex 39:31 (fasten); Job 19:3 (wrong me ~ "lie upon me" so to speak), Job 21:27.
Luke 5:1 Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;
Luke 23:23 But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail.
John 11:38 So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.
John 21:9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread.
Acts 27:20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.
1 Corinthians 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion (literally the idea is "necessity is laid upon me"); for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.
Hebrews 9:10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.
Comment: The legal ordinances are pictured as being placed upon the people of Israel during the dispensation of the old covenant (the Law).
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
Read freely Greek Word Studies from the Austin Precept text commentary of the Bible in text and pdf format. Precept Austin is an online free dynamic bible commentary similar to wikipedia with updated content and many links to excellent biblical resources around the world. You can browse the entire collection of Commentaries by Verse on the Precept Austin website.We have been "bought with a price" to be "ambassadors for Christ" and our "salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" so let us "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Cor 6:20, 2Cor 5:20, Ro 13:11, 2Cor 7:1, 1Jn 2:28)