to put/lay on
epitithemi describes placing hands on people, setting objects on something, or imposing a burden, name, or addition.
The dominant usage concerns placing hands on a person, often in prayer, healing, or an action connected with receiving the Holy Spirit. Other verses show concrete placement of items such as a crown, clay, cloaks, a cross, or brushwood, while a smaller group applies the action to burdens, names, and an addition to a book's words.
Senses in use
-
Placing hands on a person · dominant
The forms regularly occur in clauses where hands are placed on people: in Acts 19:6 the APB renders Paul as laying hands on them before they speak and prophesy, and in Mark 8:25 it renders hands placed again on a blind man's eyes before his restoration. In Acts 13:3, Acts 8:17, and Matthew 19:15, the action accompanies prayer, sending, receiving the Holy Spirit, or blessing children.
-
Setting a concrete item upon something · common
This use concerns tangible placement: in John 19:2 the APB renders a crown of thorns put on his head, while in John 9:15 clay is put on the eyes. Matthew 21:7 has cloaks put on the animals, Luke 23:26 has the cross laid on Simon, and Acts 28:3 has brushwood laid on the fire.
-
Imposing or assigning something · occasional
The action is extended beyond physical contact when something is imposed or assigned. In Acts 15:10 the APB renders a yoke placed on the disciples' neck, and Acts 15:28 renders no greater burden laid on the audience; Mark 3:16 and Mark 3:17 describe names put on Simon, James, and John. In Revelation 22:18, the clause concerns adding to the words of the book.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses “laid” or “laying” for actions involving hands, but uses “put,” “placed,” and “adds” where an item, burden, name, or addition is involved. Because the APB is a whole-verse translation, these renderings show the verse-level presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent.