verb
epikalomō
Strong’sG1941
I call by an additional name, appeal to
stem epikal-30 times in the New Testamentin 9 of 27 books24 forms occur
What it means
A plain-English reading of the word, with the lexicons it draws on — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, and Liddell-Scott-Jones — right below it, in full.
AI Summary
To call, name, or surname someone — often used in the passive, "to be called" or nicknamed something 134. This sense also appears with the phrase "the name," where a name is said to be called over a person, marking that person as belonging to another 1.
To call upon, invoke, or appeal to — used of calling on God, the Lord, or a name in prayer or worship 124, of calling someone as a witness 12, and of appealing to an authority such as Caesar for a legal decision 12.
Sources: 1 Abbott-Smith 2 Strong's 3 LSJ 4 Dodson. Condensed by anthropic/claude-sonnet-5 on 2026-09-23 — it may still misstate what these say; check them yourself if it matters to you.
The lexicons it was drawn from, in full:
Abbott-Smith — the 1922 lexicon entry, in full
ἐπι-καλέω, -ῶ
[in LXX chiefly for קָרָא;]
G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, 1922 — public domain. References open in the reader.
Strong’s G1941 — the 1890 definition, and where the word comes from
Saidep-ee-kal-eh'-om-ahee
to entitle; by implication, to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.)
Frommiddle voice from G1909 and G2564;
King Jamesappeal (unto), call (on, upon), surname.
James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 1890 — public domain. The numbers in it link to the entries here.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — the classical dictionary this word appears in
summon a god to a sacrifice or as witness to an oath, etc., invoke, θεόν NT+5th c.BC+; ἐ. θεόν τινι invoke a god over one, to be gracious to him, Refs 5th c.BC+; or, watch over his good faith, Refs:— middle,Refs 1st c.BC+
b. pray for, πρὸ καιροῦ τὸν θάνατον “PLond.” 5.1676.24 Refs 6th c.AD+
2. invite, γέροντας ἐπὶ πλέονας καλέσαντες 8th c.BC: Odyssea Homerus Epicus “Odyssey” 7.189:—middle, Refs 5th c.BC+
II. middle, call in as a helper or ally, ἐπικαλεῖσθαί τινα σύμμαχον Refs: c.infinitive, Refs 5th c.BC+
II.2. call in as witness, μάρτυρας ἐ. τινάς Refs 5th c.BC+: c.infinitive, ἐ. θεοὺς.. καθορᾶν τὰ γιγνόμενα 5th-6th c.BC: Xenophon Historicus “Historia Graeca (Hellenica)” 2.3.55: with neuter adjective, ταῦτα ἐRefs 5th c.BC+
II.2.b. appeal to, σύνεσιν καὶ παιδείαν 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 18.127 (hence, = Latin appello, provoco, Refs 1st c.AD+; τὸν δῆμον ἀπὸ τῶν δικαστῶν Refs
II.3. call before one, summon, of the Ephors, Refs 5th c.BC+
II.4. challenge, Refs
III. call by surname, Δίων ὃν ἐπεκάλουν Χρυσόστομον 4th-5th c.AD: Eunapius Historicus “Vitae Sophistarum” p.454 B.:—more frequently passive, to be called by surname, ἐπεκλήθησαν Κεκροπίδαι 5th c.BC: Herodotus Historicus 8.44; to be nicknamed, Ἀριστόδημον τὸν μικρὸν ἐπικαλούμενον 5th-6th c.BC: Xenophon Historicus “Memorabilia” 1.4.2 LXX; ἐπικληθήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς τὸ ὄνομάμουLXX
IV. bring as an accusation against, τινί τι Refs 5th c.BC+; ἐ. τινί, with infinitive, accuse one of doing, Refs; ἐ. τὴν ἀπόστασιν ὅτι.. ἐποιήσαντο 5th c.BC: Thucydides Historicus 3.36; ἐ. τινὶ πάντα ὅσα ἠδίκητο 2nd-3rd c.AD: Dio Cassius Historicus 37.6; ταῦτ᾽ ἐπικαλεῖ; is this your charge? Refs; ἐ. ἀρχαιότητα objecting to its obsoleteness, Refs let him bring his action, Refs 5th c.BC+; ὁ ἐπικαλῶν the plaintiff, Refs 3rd c.BC+ —passive, τὰ ἐπικαλεύμενα χρήματα the money imputed to him, i.e. which he was charged with having, Refs 5th c.BC+ the sums claimed, Refs 3rd c.BC+active λείαν ἐRefs; περὶ δανείου “PGrenf.” 2.31.15 Refs 2nd c.BC+
IV.2. with dative person only, ἐπικαλεῖν τινί quarrel, dispute with, ἀλλήλοις 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Leges” 766e.
H. G. Liddell, R. Scott, H. S. Jones, A Greek-English Lexicon (9th ed., 1925–1940) — digitised by the Perseus Digital Library and corrected and expanded by Tyndale House, Cambridge, via STEPBible-Data's TFLSJ table, CC BY 4.0. Covers all of Greek literature, not just the Bible.
Translated as
Every occurrence, sorted by the English it was actually given — the evidence for what the word means, not a gloss of it.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB), dedicated to the public domain — berean.bible.
Biblang forms
What the New Testament actually uses, first — the whole system this verb is built from is one click further down.
| Form and the Greek behind it | What it is | Usually | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| epikalomōἐπικαλοῦμαι | happening now · Ipresent middle or passive indicative 1st person singular | call | 2× |
| epikalovōἐπικαλεῖσθε | happening now · yepresent middle or passive indicative 2nd person plural | call on | 1× |
| epikalotōἐπικαλεῖται | happening now · he/she/itpresent middle or passive indicative 3rd person singular | called | 2× |
| epikalalaἐπεκάλεσαν | happened · theyaorist active indicative 3rd person plural | called | 1× |
| epikalitaἐπεκλήθη | happened · he/she/itaorist passive indicative 3rd person singular | called | 1× |
| epikalosēἐπικέκλησαι | has happened · youperfect middle or passive indicative 2nd person singular | appealed | 1× |
| epikalotēἐπικέκληται | has happened · he/she/itperfect middle or passive indicative 3rd person singular | called | 1× |
| epikalotelēἐπεκέκλητο | had happened · he/she/itpluperfect middle or passive indicative 3rd person singular | appealed to | 1× |
| epikaleteiaἐπικαλέσηται | happened · he/she/itaorist middle subjunctive 3rd person singular | calls on | 2× |
| epikaleleiaἐπικαλέσωνται | happened · theyaorist middle subjunctive 3rd person plural | call on | 1× |
| epikalorōἐπικαλεῖσθαι | happening now · the “to …” formpresent middle or passive infinitive | called | 1× |
| epikaleraἐπικαλέσασθαι | happened · the “to …” formaorist middle infinitive | appeal to | 1× |
| epikalorōntonἐπικαλούμενον | happening now · objectpresent middle or passive participle accusative singular masculine | called out | 1× |
| epikalorōntoinἐπικαλουμένους | happening now · objectpresent middle or passive participle accusative plural masculine | call on | 3× |
| epikalorōntoiuἐπικαλουμένων | happening now · of, belonging topresent middle or passive participle genitive plural masculine | call on | 1× |
| epikalorōntoiἐπικαλουμένοις | happening now · to, forpresent middle or passive participle dative plural masculine | call on | 1× |
| epikalorōntosἐπικαλούμενος | happening now · subjectpresent middle or passive participle nominative singular masculine | called | 1× |
| epikalorōntonἐπικαλούμενον | happening now · objectpresent middle or passive participle accusative singular masculine | called | 1× |
| epikalorōntouἐπικαλουμένου | happening now · of, belonging topresent middle or passive participle genitive singular masculine | name | 1× |
| epikalerantosἐπικαλεσάμενος | happened · subjectaorist middle participle nominative singular masculine | calling on | 1× |
| epikalerantouἐπικαλεσαμένου | happened · of, belonging toaorist middle participle genitive singular masculine | appealed | 2× |
| epikalirantosἐπικληθεὶς | happened · subjectaorist passive participle nominative singular masculine | called | 1× |
| epikalirantonἐπικληθέντα | happened · objectaorist passive participle accusative singular masculine | called | 1× |
| epikalirantemἐπικληθὲν | happened · objectaorist passive participle direct singular neuter | called | 1× |
Every form the New Testament uses, in paradigm order. What the system can build beyond them — the whole of this verb, whether the text happens to use it or not — is in the tables below.
Every form the system can build — all 204, by mood, including the ones the New Testament never uses
Statements — indicative mood, 10 occurrences
the subject acts active voice
| Who person | happening now present | was happening imperfect | will happen future | happened aorist | has happened perfect | had happened pluperfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | epikalamō | epikalame | epikalami | epikalama | epikalamē | epikalamelē |
| you 2nd person singular | epikalasō | epikalase | epikalasi | epikalasa | epikalasē | epikalaselē |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikalatō | epikalate | epikalati | epikalata | epikalatē | epikalatelē |
| we 1st person plural | epikalanō | epikalane | epikalani | epikalana | epikalanē | epikalanelē |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikalavō | epikalave | epikalavi | epikalava | epikalavē | epikalavelē |
| they 3rd person plural | epikalalō | epikalale | epikalali | epikalala1×ἐπεκάλεσαν | epikalalē | epikalalelē |
acts on itself, or is acted on middle or passive voice
| Who person | happening now present | was happening imperfect | has happened perfect | had happened pluperfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | epikalomō2×ἐπικαλοῦμαι | epikalome | epikalomē | epikalomelē |
| you 2nd person singular | epikalosō | epikalose | epikalosē1×ἐπικέκλησαι | epikaloselē |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikalotō2×ἐπικαλεῖται | epikalote | epikalotē1×ἐπικέκληται | epikalotelē1×ἐπεκέκλητο |
| we 1st person plural | epikalonō | epikalone | epikalonē | epikalonelē |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikalovō1×ἐπικαλεῖσθε | epikalove | epikalovē | epikalovelē |
| they 3rd person plural | epikalolō | epikalole | epikalolē | epikalolelē |
acts on or for itself middle voice
| Who person | will happen future | happened aorist |
|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | epikalemi | epikalema |
| you 2nd person singular | epikalesi | epikalesa |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikaleti | epikaleta |
| we 1st person plural | epikaleni | epikalena |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikalevi | epikaleva |
| they 3rd person plural | epikaleli | epikalela |
acted on passive voice
| Who person | will happen future | happened aorist |
|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | epikalimi | epikalima |
| you 2nd person singular | epikalisi | epikalisa |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikaliti | epikalita1×ἐπεκλήθη |
| we 1st person plural | epikalini | epikalina |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikalivi | epikaliva |
| they 3rd person plural | epikalili | epikalila |
May, might — subjunctive mood, 3 occurrences
the subject acts active voice
| Who person | happening now present | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | epikalameiō | epikalameia | epikalameiē |
| you 2nd person singular | epikalaseiō | epikalaseia | epikalaseiē |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikalateiō | epikalateia | epikalateiē |
| we 1st person plural | epikalaneiō | epikalaneia | epikalaneiē |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikalaveiō | epikalaveia | epikalaveiē |
| they 3rd person plural | epikalaleiō | epikalaleia | epikalaleiē |
acts on itself, or is acted on middle or passive voice
| Who person | happening now present | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | epikalomeiō | epikalomeiē |
| you 2nd person singular | epikaloseiō | epikaloseiē |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikaloteiō | epikaloteiē |
| we 1st person plural | epikaloneiō | epikaloneiē |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikaloveiō | epikaloveiē |
| they 3rd person plural | epikaloleiō | epikaloleiē |
acts on or for itself middle voice
| Who person | happened aorist |
|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | epikalemeia |
| you 2nd person singular | epikaleseia |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikaleteia2×ἐπικαλέσηται |
| we 1st person plural | epikaleneia |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikaleveia |
| they 3rd person plural | epikaleleia1×ἐπικαλέσωνται |
acted on passive voice
| Who person | happened aorist |
|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | epikalimeia |
| you 2nd person singular | epikaliseia |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikaliteia |
| we 1st person plural | epikalineia |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikaliveia |
| they 3rd person plural | epikalileia |
Commands — imperative mood, no occurrences
the subject acts active voice
| Who person | happening now present | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|
| you 2nd person singular | epikalasōr | epikalasar | epikalasēr |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikalatōr | epikalatar | epikalatēr |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikalavōr | epikalavar | epikalavēr |
| they 3rd person plural | epikalalōr | epikalalar | epikalalēr |
acts on itself, or is acted on middle or passive voice
| Who person | happening now present | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|
| you 2nd person singular | epikalosōr | epikalosēr |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikalotōr | epikalotēr |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikalovōr | epikalovēr |
| they 3rd person plural | epikalolōr | epikalolēr |
acts on or for itself middle voice
| Who person | happened aorist |
|---|---|
| you 2nd person singular | epikalesar |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikaletar |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikalevar |
| they 3rd person plural | epikalelar |
acted on passive voice
| Who person | happened aorist |
|---|---|
| you 2nd person singular | epikalisar |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikalitar |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikalivar |
| they 3rd person plural | epikalilar |
Wishes — optative mood, no occurrences
the subject acts active voice
| Who person | happening now present | happened aorist |
|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | epikalamoiō | epikalamoia |
| you 2nd person singular | epikalasoiō | epikalasoia |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikalatoiō | epikalatoia |
| we 1st person plural | epikalanoiō | epikalanoia |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikalavoiō | epikalavoia |
| they 3rd person plural | epikalaloiō | epikalaloia |
acts on itself, or is acted on middle or passive voice
| Who person | happening now present |
|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | epikalomoiō |
| you 2nd person singular | epikalosoiō |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikalotoiō |
| we 1st person plural | epikalonoiō |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikalovoiō |
| they 3rd person plural | epikaloloiō |
acts on or for itself middle voice
| Who person | happened aorist |
|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | epikalemoia |
| you 2nd person singular | epikalesoia |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikaletoia |
| we 1st person plural | epikalenoia |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikalevoia |
| they 3rd person plural | epikaleloia |
acted on passive voice
| Who person | happened aorist |
|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | epikalimoia |
| you 2nd person singular | epikalisoia |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | epikalitoia |
| we 1st person plural | epikalinoia |
| ye 2nd person plural | epikalivoia |
| they 3rd person plural | epikaliloia |
The “to …” form — infinitive, 2 occurrences
| Who is acting voice | happening now present | will happen future | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the subject acts active voice | epikalarō | epikalari | epikalara | epikalarē |
| acts on itself, or is acted on middle or passive voice | epikalorō1×ἐπικαλεῖσθαι | epikalorē | ||
| acts on or for itself middle voice | epikaleri | epikalera1×ἐπικαλέσασθαι | ||
| acted on passive voice | epikaliri | epikalira |
Used as an adjective — participle, 15 occurrences
| Who is acting voice | happening now present | will happen future | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the subject acts active voice | epikalarōntos | epikalarintos | epikalarantos | epikalarēntos |
| acts on itself, or is acted on middle or passive voice | epikalorōntos9×ἐπικαλούμενος | epikalorēntos | ||
| acts on or for itself middle voice | epikalerintos | epikalerantos3×ἐπικαλεσάμενος | ||
| acted on passive voice | epikalirintos | epikalirantos3×ἐπικληθεὶς |
Each is given in the form it takes as a subject. From there a participle carries the ordinary noun endings, in every case, number and gender — so these four columns are the whole of what the verb contributes.
How every form is built — the slots that make them
epikal is this word in every one of its forms. The slots after it make all the rest.
same in every form varies — every value shown
Where it appears
Every verse the word appears in, filed under the form it takes there.
30 occurrences, every one of them listed
epikalomō“call”happening now · Ipresent middle or passive indicative 1st person singular2×
Acts 25:11… oudenos min dunotō autoi charizera; Kaisaron epikalomō.… hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
2 Corinthians 1:23Mis de marturon ton theon epikalomō epi tan ēman psuchan, hoti feidorōntos …I call God as my witness that it …
epikalovō“call on”happening now · yepresent middle or passive indicative 2nd person plural1×
1 Peter 1:17Kai ei patron epikalovō ton aprosōpolēmptōs krinarōnton kata tem hekastou …Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s …
epikalotō“called”happening now · he/she/itpresent middle or passive indicative 3rd person singular2×
Acts 10:5… Ioppan kai metapempesar Simōnon tinon hos epikalotō Petros;… a man named Simon who is called Peter.
Acts 10:32… eis Ioppan kai metakalesar Simōnon hos epikalotō Petros; houtos xenizotō en oikia Simōnou …… to Joppa for Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest in …
epikalala“called”happened · theyaorist active indicative 3rd person plural1×
Matthew 10:25… kurios autou. ei ton oikodespoton Beelzeboul epikalala, pose mallon toin oikiakoin autou.… head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members …
epikalita“called”happened · he/she/itaorist passive indicative 3rd person singular1×
Acts 1:23“called”… duo, Iōsēf ton kalorōnton Barsabbon, hos epikalita Ioustos, kai Maththion.… they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
epikalosē“appealed”has happened · youperfect middle or passive indicative 2nd person singular1×
Acts 25:12… sullalarantos meta teu sumboulieu apokrinita; Kaisaron epikalosē, epi Kaisaron poreuesi.… his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will …
epikalotē“called”has happened · he/she/itperfect middle or passive indicative 3rd person singular1×
Acts 15:17… kai panteim teim ethneim epi hoin epikalotē tem onomem mu epi autoin, legatō …… and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord …
epikalotelē“appealed to”had happened · he/she/itpluperfect middle or passive indicative 3rd person singular1×
Acts 26:32… dunote tos anthrōpos houtos ei mē epikalotelē Kaisaron.… been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
epikaleteia“calls on”happened · he/she/itaorist middle subjunctive 3rd person singular2×
Acts 2:21kai eti pantos hos ean epikaleteia tem onomem kuriou sōziti.And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will …
Romans 10:13Pantos gar hos an epikaleteia tem onomem kuriou sōziti.for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will …
epikaleleia“call on”happened · theyaorist middle subjunctive 3rd person plural1×
Romans 10:14Pōs oun epikaleleia eis hon ouk pisteuala? pōs de …How then can they call on the One in whom they have …
epikalorō“called”happening now · the “to …” formpresent middle or passive infinitive1×
Hebrews 11:16… ouk epaischunotō autoin tos theos theos epikalorō autoiu, hetoimazata gar autoi polan.… God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared …
epikalera“appeal to”happened · the “to …” formaorist middle infinitive1×
Acts 28:19antilegarōntoiu de toiu Ioudaioiu anankazima epikalera Kaisaron, ouk hōs teu ethneu mu …… Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no …
epikalorōnton“called out”happening now · objectpresent middle or passive participle accusative singular masculine1×
Acts 7:59“called out”kai lithobolale ton Stefanon epikalorōnton kai legarōnton; Kurior Iēsur, dechesar tem …… they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
epikalorōntoin“call on”happening now · objectpresent middle or passive participle accusative plural masculine3×
Acts 9:14… para toiu archierevoiu dara pantoin toin epikalorōntoin tem onomem su.… chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”
Acts 9:21“called on”… atō tos portharantos en Ierousalēm toin epikalorōntoin tem onomem houtem, kai hōde eis …… asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take …
Romans 10:12… kurios pantoiu, ploutarōntos eis pantoin toin epikalorōntoin auton;… and gives richly to all who call on Him,
epikalorōntoiu“call on”happening now · of, belonging topresent middle or passive participle genitive plural masculine1×
2 Timothy 2:22… dikaiosunan, pistian, agapan, eirēnan meta toiu epikalorōntoiu ton kurion ek katharau kardiau.… and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure …
epikalorōntoi“call on”happening now · to, forpresent middle or passive participle dative plural masculine1×
1 Corinthians 1:2… Korintha, klētoi hagioi, sun pantoi toi epikalorōntoi tem onomem tou kuriou nu Iēsu …… together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus …
epikalorōntos“called”happening now · subjectpresent middle or passive participle nominative singular masculine1×
Acts 10:18kai fōnarantois punthanole ei Simōnos tos epikalorōntos Petros enthade xenizotō.… called out to ask if Simon called Peter was staying there.
epikalorōnton“called”happening now · objectpresent middle or passive participle accusative singular masculine1×
Acts 11:13… eis Ioppan kai metapempesar Simōnon ton epikalorōnton Petron,… to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.
epikalorōntou“name”happening now · of, belonging topresent middle or passive participle genitive singular masculine1×
Acts 12:12“name”… tau Mariau tau mētērau Iōannou tou epikalorōntou Markou, hou ale hikanois sunathroizorēntois kai …… house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying.
epikalerantos“calling on”happened · subjectaorist middle participle nominative singular masculine1×
Acts 22:16… baptizesar kai apolouesar tain hamartain su epikalerantos tem onomem autou.… baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.’
epikalerantou“appealed”happened · of, belonging toaorist middle participle genitive singular masculine2×
Acts 25:21tou de Paulou epikalerantou tērira auton eis tan tou Sebastou …But when Paul appealed to be held over for the …
Acts 25:25… auton thanatou prassarē, autou de houtou epikalerantou ton Sebaston krinama pemparō.… death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send …
epikalirantos“called”happened · subjectaorist passive participle nominative singular masculine1×
Acts 4:36Iōsēf de tos epikalirantos Barnabos apo toiu apostoloiu, hem atō …… Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (vvv meaning Son of Encouragement),
epikaliranton“called”happened · objectaorist passive participle accusative singular masculine1×
Acts 12:25… plērarantois tan diakonian, sumparalabarantois Iōannon ton epikaliranton Markon.… returned, bringing with them John, also called Mark.
epikalirantem“called”happened · objectaorist passive participle direct singular neuter1×
James 2:7… autois blasfēmalō tem kalem onomem tem epikalirantem epi vin?… name by which you have been called?