ἐπιχειρ-έω G2021
attempt, undertake; put one's hand to an endeavor
This verb means to put one's hand to a task, to attempt or undertake something. The classical usage emphasizes beginning work, making an attempt, or endeavoring to accomplish something. In the New Testament it appears in contexts of beginning significant undertakings—Luke's careful composition of his Gospel (Luke 1:1), opponents trying to argue with Stephen (Acts 9:29), and Jewish exorcists attempting to use Jesus' name (Acts 19:13).
Senses
1. sense 1 — The translation evidence shows undertaking language: Spanish Intentaron/emprendieron ('they attempted, they undertook'), French entreprendre ('undertake'). Luke 1:1 begins the Gospel: 'many have undertaken to compile a narrative,' establishing Luke's careful historical method. Acts 9:29 describes opponents in Jerusalem who 'attempted' to kill Saul after his conversion. Acts 19:13 tells of 'some itinerant Jewish exorcists' who 'undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus' over the demon-possessed. Each use involves beginning an endeavor, whether literary, violent, or spiritual. 3×
AR["حَاوَلُوا", "شَرَعُوا", "وَاجْتَهَدَ"]·ben["চেষ্টা-করছিল", "চেষ্টা-করল", "হাত-দিয়েছে"]·DE["ἐπεχείρησαν", "ἐπεχείρουν", "Ἐπεχείρησαν"]·EN["attempted", "undertook", "were-attempting"]·FR["entreprendre"]·heb["נִסּוּ"]·HI["प्रयत्न-करते-थे", "प्रयास-किया"]·ID["Berusaha", "berusaha", "telah-berusaha"]·IT["epecheiresan", "intraprendere"]·jav["Nyobi", "nyobi", "sampun-ngupados"]·KO["시도했다"]·PT["Tentaram", "empreenderam", "tentavam"]·RU["Предприняли", "покушались", "предприняли"]·ES["Intentaron", "emprendieron", "intentaban"]·SW["Walijaribu", "walijaribu", "wamejaribu"]·TR["Kalkıştılar", "girişiyorlardı", "girişti"]·urd["کوشش-کرتے-تھے", "کوشش-کی", "ہاتھ-ڈالا"]
Related Senses
H3045 1. Qal: to know, perceive, understand (829×)H5315 1. soul, inner being (647×)H3820a 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (572×)H4672 1. Qal: find, discover (289×)G1492 1. know facts or truths (285×)H3824 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (250×)H1245 1. seek, search for (200×)G1097 1. know, be acquainted with (196×)H2142 1. Qal: remember, recall (173×)G2588 1. heart (inner self, mind, will) (158×)H0977 1. choose, select (Qal active) (145×)G2147 1. find, discover (144×)G5590 1. soul, inner self (100×)H4672 2. Niphal: be found, be discovered (99×)H1875 1. seek, search for (96×)H5315 2. life, vitality (94×)H1847 1. knowledge, discernment (90×)H2450 1. wise, prudent (84×)H7911 1. Qal: to forget (83×)H3684 1. fool, dullard (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἐπιχειρ-έω, (χείρ) put one's hand to, οἱ μὲν δείπνῳ ἐπεχείρεον Refs 8th c.BC+ __2 put one's hand to a work, set to work at, attempt, τῇ διώρυχι Refs 5th c.BC+; δρησμῷ ἐ. attempt an escape, Refs 5th c.BC+; λόγοις, τέχνῃ, Refs 5th c.BC+ __3 less frequently with accusative, μεγάλα ἔργα Refs 6th c.BC+:—passive, to be attempted, Refs 5th c.BC+the thing attempted, Refs 5th c.BC+ __4 with infinitive,…