ἐπιγρᾰφ-ή G1923
An inscription, superscription; text written on a coin, monument, or sign to identify or designate something.
A noun formed from epigraphō ('to write upon'), referring to any text inscribed on a surface for identification or proclamation. In the Gospels it appears in two memorable contexts: the inscription on a Roman coin -- 'Whose image and inscription is this?' Jesus asks about the denarius (Matt 22:20; Mark 12:16; Luke 20:24) -- and the charge written above the cross of Jesus (Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38). Spanish inscripción and French inscription render the word identically, underscoring its technical, documentary character. Whether on coinage or on the titulus crucis, the word points to an authoritative public label.
Senses
1. sense 1 — An inscription or superscription written on a physical object for identification. Used of the inscription on a Roman denarius bearing Caesar's name and image (Matt 22:20; Mark 12:16; Luke 20:24), and of the written charge affixed above the crucified Jesus stating his alleged crime (Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38). The remarkable multilingual uniformity -- Spanish inscripción, French inscription, English inscription -- reflects the word's technical precision: an officially written label on a coin, monument, or placard that publicly identifies or designates. 5×
AR["الكِتابَةُ", "عُنْوَانُ", "كِتابَةٌ", "كِتابَةُ", "نَقشُ"]·ben["খোদাই", "লিখন", "লিপি", "লেখা", "ἐπιγραφὴ-লেখা"]·DE["ἐπιγραφή", "ἐπιγραφήν", "ἐπιγραφὴ"]·EN["an-inscription", "inscription"]·FR["inscription"]·heb["כְּתֹבֶת", "כִּתֹבֶת"]·HI["लेख", "शिलालेख"]·ID["tulisan"]·IT["iscrizione"]·jav["seratan", "tulisan", "tulisan?"]·KO["글까", "글냐", "글을", "명판이", "표제가"]·PT["inscrição", "inscrição?"]·RU["надпись", "надпись?"]·ES["inscripción"]·SW["Wanasema", "maandishi", "mstari"]·TR["yazı", "yazısı", "yazıt"]·urd["تختی", "عنوان", "لکھاوٹ", "کتبہ"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἐπιγρᾰφ-ή, ἡ, inscription, στηλῶν on stones, Refs 5th c.BC+ __2. title of a work, Refs 2nd c.AD+ __3. name of a ship, Refs 1st c.BC+ __4. ascription of a deed to its author, credit or honour of a thing, Refs 3rd c.BC+ __5. insertion, interlineation in a document, Refs 2nd c.AD+ __II. description of parties in pleadings,Refs 4th c.BC+ __II.2. registration of property for taxation, in plural, Refs 5th c.BC+ __II.3. impost, tax, Refs 3rd c.BC+; assessment, Refs 2nd c.AD+ __II.4. requisition, Refs