Quick Definition
ἐπιλύω v. I explain, interpret, decide
Strong's Definition
from 1909 and 3089; to solve further, i.e. (figuratively) to explain, decide
KJV Usage: determine, expound
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb | λύω
33.141 · Communication · Interpret, Mean, Explain
to explain, meaning, explanation to explain the meaning of something, with the implication that the text in question is difficult or complex
30.81 · Think · To Decide, To Conclude
to resolve (a dispute), to settle (a problem), to come to a decision (a figurative extension of meaning of ἐπιλύω ‘to untie, to loose,’ not occurring in the NT) to come to a conclusion concerning a presumably difficult or complex matter
1 ACT 19:39 ἐπιλύω[b] in ACT 19:39 involves several different semantic features, but since the focus is upon the final resolution of the issues, the meaning of ἐπιλύω in ACT 19:39 can perhaps be best treated in this subdomain.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἐπι-λύω : impf. ἐπέλυον ; 1 fut. pass. ἐπιλυθήσομαι; a. properly, to unloose, untie (Germ. auflisen) anything knotted or bound or sealed up; (Xen., Theoer., Hdian.). b. to clear (a controversy), to decide, settle: Acts xix. 395 to explain (what is obscure and hard to understand) : Mk. iv. 34 (as in Gen. xli. 12 var.; Philo, vita contempl. § 10; de agricult. § 3; Sext. Empir. 2, 246; γρίφους, Athen. 10 p. 449 e.; also in mid., Athen. 10 p. 450 f.; Joseph. antt. 8, 6, 5, and often by the Scholiasts).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἐπιλύω epilyō 2x
to loose what has previously been fastened or entangled, as a knot; met. to solve, to explain, what is enigmatical, as a parable, Mk. 4:34; to settle, put an end to a matter of debate, Acts 19:39*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
** ἐπι-λύω
[in Aq.: Ge 40:8 41:8, 12; Th.: Ho 3:4 * ;]
to loose, release.
to solve, settle, explain: Mk 4:34, Ac 19:39.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἐπιλύω. Like ἐπίλυσις, the verb is used in monetary transactions, e.g. P Grenf I. 267 (B.c. 113) ἐπελύσατ[ο] Ψενενοῦπις ᾿Οννώφριος δάνειον πυροῦ ap vs, a usage hitherto unknown: see further Philologus N.F. xvii. pp. 564 f., 577. For the metaphorical meaning as in the NT, cf. Vett. Val. p. 1738 τὸ τῆς ἀληθείας μέρος ὡς ὑπὸ οὐδενὸς ἀνδρὸς ἐπιλελυμένον αὐτὸς ἐφώτισα, p. 259᾽ προεῖπον γὰρ ἐν τοῖς ἔμπροσθεν, ὅτι ἃ μὲν ἐκ τῶν παλαιῶν σκοτεινῶς συντεταγμένα ἐπελυσάμην.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ἐπιλύω (epiluō) — to explain. ἐπιλύω, loose, untie, δεσμά 3rd c.BC: Theocritus Poeta Bucolicus “Adon.” 42; ἐ.κύνας let slip dogs, [Refs]: generally, set free, release, τοὺς κακούργους τῷ πολέμῳ 2nd c.AD: Lucianus Sophista “Par.” 50:—middle, ἐπιλύεσθαί τινα τὸ μὴ οὐχὶ ἀγανακτεῖν 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Crito” 43c; ἐπιλύεσθαι ἐπιστολάς openthem, [Refs]; Ἐπιλυσαμένη, epithet of various divinities, [Refs 5th c.AD+]
2. solve, explain, πάντα τοῖς μαθηταῖς NT.Mark.4.34:—passive,[Refs]:—middle, [Refs 1st c.AD+]perfect participle passive ἐπιλελυμένος lucid, of writings, [Refs]
3. confute an accusation, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
4. middle, manumit, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]
5. release, discharge a debtor, ἀπὸ τᾶν κοινᾶν ποθόδων ἐπιλυθῆμεν (infinitive passive) τοὺς ἐρρυτιασμένους “Schwyzer” 104.7 [Refs 2nd c.BC+]: pay, with dative person, [Refs]:—middle, discharge a debt, δάνειον “PGrenf.” 1.26.2 [Refs 2nd c.BC+]
II. future middle in passive sense, lose strength, give in, [Refs]