The verb επιποθεω (epipotheo) means to desire, yearn or long for, or to mull over something one desires. It combines the particle επι (epi), meaning on or upon, with the otherwise unused verb ποθεω (potheo), to yearn or crave. This latter verb stems from an ancient Proto-Indo-European root "gwedh-", to request or ask for, from which also comes the English verb to bid, the German expression of entreaty bitte, please, and the verb beten, to pray (hence also the Dutch verb bidden, to pray). In Greek mythology, Pothos is a minor character and either son or aspect of the more familiar Eros.

Our verb επιποθεω (epipotheo), to long for or to mull over that which one desires, is used 9 times in the New Testament; see full concordance. From this verb come:

The noun ιμερος (himeros) means a longing or a yearning after. It occurs frequently in Homer, and is associated with a wide slew of desirous feelings and passions. Personified as the male god Himeros, desire was considered one of seven Erotes (which were relatives of the Muses and Charites), and mostly associated with Aphrodite and Eros.

It's unclear where this word comes from, but similar traces in Sanskrit imply that it denotes an element of mind that has been considered since deep antiquity. The Sanskrit traces lean toward a fundamental meaning of remembering or calling back to mind. The Sanskrit word for spring, the season of rebirth and life, appears connected to these words. The PIE root, however, appears to emphasize a binding or tying and thus the capturing and dominating of what is desired by the one who desires.

But whatever the pedigree, our noun ιμερος (himeros) does not occur in the New Testament. From it, however, comes: