Greek word · G2013

ἐπιτυγχάνω

epitynchanō

to obtain

To obtain, attain, reach, succeed in getting. It is built on tynchanō, whose older sense includes 'hit (a mark)', but in Koine the ordinary meaning is simply 'obtain'. Elsewhere in the NT: Heb 6:15 (Abraham 'obtained the promise'); Heb 11:33; Jas 4:2 ('you covet and cannot obtain').

Appears 5 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐπι-τυγχάνω

[in LXX: Genesis 39:2 (צָלַח hi.), Proverbs 12:27 (חָרַךְ)* ;]

1. to light upon.

2. to obtain, attain to: James 4:2, with genitive of thing(s) (as in cl.), Hebrews 6:15 11:33; with accusative (late Gk.), Romans 11:7 (Rec. τούτου).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Romans 11:7

Range of meaning

To obtain, attain, reach, succeed in getting. It is built on tynchanō, whose older sense includes 'hit (a mark)', but in Koine the ordinary meaning is simply 'obtain'. Elsewhere in the NT: Heb 6:15 (Abraham 'obtained the promise'); Heb 11:33; Jas 4:2 ('you covet and cannot obtain').

Against the English

Translations agree ('obtain'). BSB 'failed to obtain' is a fair idiom.

Used elsewhere in the period

Normally takes a genitive object in classical and Koine Greek, which explains the Byzantine reading τούτου. Paul's accusative τοῦτο reflects looser Koine usage.

From the study of Hebrews 11:33

Range of meaning

To hit the mark, attain, obtain, get what one seeks. The thing obtained is usually in the genitive case.

Against the English

KJV/ESV/NASB/WEB 'obtained promises' is literal. BSB/NIV 'gained what was promised' and NLT 'received what God had promised them' make clear that the promised things arrived, not merely the words of promise. That is probably right, but it closes off one reading some scholars defend (see debates).

Used elsewhere in the period

Hebrews 6:15 is the key parallel: Abraham, 'having patiently endured, obtained the promise' (epetychen tēs epangelias), apparently meaning the birth of Isaac and God's sworn oath (6:13–14). Elsewhere in the New Testament: Romans 11:7; James 4:2.

From the study of Hebrews 6:15

Range of meaning

'To hit the mark, attain, obtain, get what one seeks.' In Greek it often means succeeding in getting something (BDAG: 'to be successful in achieving'). It is related to tynchanō, 'to happen upon, to gain.'

Against the English

'Obtained' (KJV, BSB, ESV, NASB, WEB) and 'received' (NIV, NLT) are both acceptable. 'Obtained' keeps more of the sense of reaching a goal. 'Received' sounds more passive.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT: Rom 11:7 ('Israel did not obtain what it sought; the elect obtained it'), Jas 4:2 ('you covet and cannot obtain'), Heb 11:33 (the heroes of faith 'obtained promises,' epetuchon epangeliōn). Hebrews uses a different verb, komizomai ('to carry off, receive'), when it says the patriarchs did 'not receive' the promises (11:13, 39; compare 10:36).

Where it appears

Romans · 2

  1. Romans 11:7 ἐπέτυχεν, ἐπέτυχεν· it has obtained,, obtained [it];

    What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,

    Here: Aorist tense, a simple statement of the outcome: 'did not obtain / did not reach' the goal. The ongoing seeking stands against the failed result.

Hebrews · 2

  1. Hebrews 6:15 ἐπέτυχεν he obtained

    And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise.

    Here: 'He attained' or 'he got hold of.' It is the language of reaching something you were aiming at. The verb presents the obtaining as a single, real event in Abraham's life. It takes its object in the genitive case, which is normal Greek for verbs of obtaining.

  2. Hebrews 11:33 ἐπέτυχον obtained

    who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,

    Here: To 'hit upon' or attain something aimed at. The writer used the same verb and noun for Abraham in 6:15 ('he obtained the promise' after patient waiting). Here it means these people actually saw particular things God had pledged come true.

James · 1

  1. James 4:2 ἐπιτυχεῖν· to obtain;

    You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.

    Here: To reach or obtain a goal, like hitting a target. Their grasping keeps missing. The tense presents the obtaining as a single, completed success that never arrives.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.