Quick Definition
ἐπισκιάζω v. I overshadow, envelop
Strong's Definition
from 1909 and a derivative of 4639; to cast a shade upon, i.e. (by analogy) to envelop in a haze of brilliancy; figuratively, to invest with preternatural influence
KJV Usage: overshadow
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb | σκιάζω (shade, overshadow) · σκιά
14.62 · Physical Events and States · Darkness
to cast a shadow upon to cause a shadow by interposing something between an object and a source of light In ACT 5:15 there is a semantic duplication of the element of ‘shadow’ in view of the noun σκιά and the verb ἐπισκιάζω. In MAT 17:5 the shining cloud would not produce the same kind of shadow as in the case of ACT 5:15, but it would be interposed between (1) the sun and (2) Jesus and his disciples. In MAT 17:5 the shining cloud may thus be more like a covering than a shadow. The reference to this shining cloud in MAT 17:5 as the Shekinah of God is discussed in 14.49 and 14.50.
In LUK 1:35 ἐπισκιάζω is used figuratively in speaking of the agency of the Holy Spirit in causing Mary to conceive: πνεῦμα ἅγιον ἐπελεύσεται ἐπὶ σέκαὶ δύναμις ὑψίστου ἐπισκιάσει σοι the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
In a number of languages it is not possible, however, to translate ἐπισκιάζω literally as ‘overshadow.’ It may therefore be necessary to use some such expression as the power of the Most High will come to you or God’s power will come upon you. A strictly literal rendering of ἐπισκιάζω in LUK 1:35 could be interpreted in some languages as being a rather crude reference to sexual intercourse, and this interpretation should be avoided.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἐπι-σκιάζω ; [impf. ἐπεσκίαζον, Lk. ix. 84 Lmrg.T Tr txt. WH]; fut. émioxidow; 1 aor. ἐπεσκίασα; to throw a shadow upon, to envelop in shadow, to overshadow: τινί, Acts v. 15. From a vaporous cloud that casts a shadow the word is transferred to a shining cloud surrounding and enveloping persons with brightness: τινά, Mt. xvii. 5; Lk. ix. 34; τινί, Mk. ix. 1. Tropically, of the Holy Spirit exerting creative energy upon the womb of the virgin Mary and impregnating it, (a use of the word which seems to have been drawn from the familiar O. T. idea of a cloud as symbolizing the immediate presence and power of God): with the dat. Lk. i. 35. (In prof. auth. generally w. an ace. of the object and in the sense of obscuring: Hdt. 1,209; Soph., Aristot., Theophr., Philo, Leian., Hdian., Geop. Sept. for 20 to cover, Ps. xe. (xci.) 4; exxxix. (exl.) 8; for jaw, Ex. xl. 29 (35) ἐπεσκίαζεν ἐπὶ τὴν σκηνὴν ἡ νεφέλη ; [ef. W. 8 52, 4, 7].)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἐπισκιάζω episkiazō 5x
to overshadow, Mt. 17:5; met. to shed influence upon, Lk. 1:35
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ἐπι-σκιάζω
[in LXX: Ex 40:29(35) (שָׁכַן), Ps 90(91):4 139(140):7 (סָכַךְ), Pr 18:11 * ;]
to throw a shadow upon, overshadow: c. dat., Ac 5:15; of a shining (Mt, l.c., and cf. Ex 40:29, 35, II Mac 2:8) cloud, c. dat., Mk 9:7; c. acc, Mt 17:5, Lk 9:34; metaph. (cf. Pss, Pr, ll.c.), of the Holy Spirit, Lk 1:35.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἐπισκιάζω is found in the mid. in Vett. Val. p. 1111 γίνονται δὲ ἑτερόχροες συγγενήματα ἔχοντες φαλακροὶ ἐπισκιαζόμενοι 244.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ἐπισκιάζω (episkiazō) — to overshadow. ἐπισκῐ-άζω, throw a shade upon, overshadow, τῇ [πτέρυγι] τὴν Ἀσίην [NT+5th c.BC+]:—passive, [Refs 1st c.AD+]; opposed to φωτίζειν, [Refs 2nd c.AD+] —middle, -σκιάζεσθαι τὸν ἥλιον to ward off the sun's rays, [Refs]: metaphorically, conceal, obscure, ἀλήθειαν πλάσμασι μυθικοῖς [Refs 1st c.AD+]; τὰ δεινὰ ἑτέροις ὀνόμασιν ἐ. [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; τὴν θωπείαν, τὸν βίον, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]:—passive, τῇ εὐγενεία [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; λαθραῖον ὄμμ᾽ ἐπεσκιασμένη keeping a hidden watch, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
2. darken, obscure, [Refs 1st c.AD+]: metaphorically, ἀφροσύνη ἐ. ψυχήν [Refs]
3. of the Divine presence, overshadow for protection, etc., τινί [LXX]; ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλήν τινος[NT]
4. passive, to be weak-sighted, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]