ἐπίθεσις

ἐπίθεσις — epíthesis

ἐπίθεσις, ἐπιθησεως, ἡ (ἐπιτίθημι), a laying on, imposition: τῶν χειρῶν, Act 8:18; 1Ti 4:14; 2Ti 1:6; Heb 6:2. The imposition of hands, χειροθεσια, was a sacred rite transmitted by the Jews to the Christians, and employed in praying for another, or in conferring upon him divine blessings, especially bodily health, or the Holy Spirit (at the administration of baptism and the inauguration to their office of the teachers and ministers of the church): Gen 48:14; Num 27:18; Num 27:23; Deu 34:9; 2Ki 5:11, etc.; Mat 19:13; Mar 16:18; Act 6:6; Act 13:3; Act 19:6, etc. (See B. D. under the word (supplement); McCl. and Strong and Dict. of Chris. Antiq. under the word.)