The Greek verb epiphausko (also epiphaino in some manuscripts) means to shine upon, to give light to, to illuminate. It is related to phos (light) and carries the sense of divine illumination breaking in.
Epiphausko appears in Ephesians 5:14 in what appears to be an early Christian hymn or baptismal formula: 'Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you (epiphausei).' The verse is a call to repentance and awakening, with the promise that Christ himself will become the illuminating light for those who wake. This echoes Isaiah 60:1 — 'Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.' The word belongs to the great light-motif of Scripture: God is light (1 John 1:5), Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12), and believers are called to be children of light (Ephesians 5:8). Epiphausko is the moment that changes everything — when divine light breaks upon the sleeping soul.