The Greek verb empiptō means to fall into something — a pit, an ambush, a snare, or circumstances. It combines en (in) with piptō (to fall), emphasizing being immersed or caught in a situation, often one of danger or judgment.
Empiptō appears in the parable of the Good Samaritan: the man 'fell into' the hands of robbers (Luke 10:36). More soberly, Hebrews 10:31 warns: 'It is a dreadful thing to fall into (empiptō) the hands of the living God' — the same falling motion, but into divine judgment rather than human violence. The contrast is stark: one can fall into the hands of robbers and be rescued by a Samaritan; but falling into divine judgment requires the divine Rescuer, Christ Himself. 1 Timothy 3:6-7 warns against falling into the devil's trap, using the same language of falling-into.