[Greek] πίπτω (piptō), [Latin] cadere, [Latin] elidere, [Latin] concidere, [Latin] decider, [Latin] perire, [Latin] prostrare, [German] fallen, [French] ruiner: to fall, to fall prostrate, to kneel, to fall down; 92 scriptural references
St. Matthias: painting by Peter Paul Reubens (1611)
Background information:
The lot falling upon Matthias: After the fall of Judas, it was necessary for a successor to be elected. It was not considered wrong or improper to make this decision by lots. Human reason had already determined that these candidates were of good character. This was a difficult time for the Church. Since Pentecost had not yet occurred, the Apostles had not yet received the full wisdom from the Holy Spirit. During this interim time, casting by lots was considered the most appropriate and unbiased method of voting, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Before Pentecost, it was necessary choose between candidates by the use of lots. However, after Pentecost, we do not have indication of this practice. The Church now can rely upon the judgment of the Pope and his bishops. May 14th is the feast day of St. Matthias.
Greek Hellenism: This term means to fall, to fall down, to perish, to fail, to fall under (be counted as), and to throw oneself. Euripides’ Hecuba 787 states “But hear my reason for throwing myself at your knees.” Herodotus’ Histories 8.16 states “Many were the Greeks ships and men that perished there.” Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes 794 states “The boasts of the powerful men have fallen to the ground.” Euripides’ Orestes 796 states “For how can you win a great cause by small efforts?” Sophocles’ Ajax 828 states “Send on my behalf some messenger with news of my downfall to Teucer.” Sophocles’ Philoctetes 826 states “Come, friends, let us leave him in quietness, so that he may fall asleep.”
Old Testament: This term, used extensively, has many meanings. Such uses include falling, lying down, being allotted, dying, falling prostrate, neglecting, giving birth, attacking, ceasing, oppressing, ruining, being inferior, settling, losing confidence, and being infertile. Everything on which one of them falls when dead becomes unclean (Lev.11:32). The judge shall have him lie down (Deu.25:2). This is the territory that shall fall to you (Num.34:2). We conceived and writhed in pain (Isa.26:18). A curse shall enter your body and make your body swell (Num.5:22). I fall not short of you (Job.13:2). I lay prostrate before the Lord (Deu.9:18). To fell the poor and oppress, to slaughter those whose way is honest (Psa.37:14). Joseph flung himself on his father’s neck (Gen.46:29). A death dealing stone which strikes him and causes his death (Num.35:23).
New Testament: This term, used literally and figuratively, is also used extensively. The figurative sense conveys assigning to, becoming guilty, ceasing, sinning, and being defeated. The literal sense conveys falling, collapsing, overturning, and being slain.
More notable scriptural examples:
Mt.2:11: They prostrated themselves before Him.
Mt.7:25: The house did not collapse on rock.
Mt.15:14: Blind persons falling into a pit.
Mt.17:15: The lunatic son falls into fire (epileptic seizure).
Mt.24:49: The stars fall from the sky.
Lk.21:24: They will fall by the edge of the sword.
Jn.12:24: A grain of sand falls to the ground.
Acts 1:26: The lot fell upon Matthias.
Acts 15:16: Rebuild the fallen hut of David.
Acts 27:34: Not a hair will be lost.
Rom.11:11: Did the Jews stumble so as to fall?
1Cor.10:8: Twenty-three thousand fell within a single day.
1Cor.10:12: Whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.
It is very significant to note that casting lots was necessary since the Apostles had not yet received the full inspiration from the Holy Spirit.
Etymology: The Latin verb cadere means to fall (down). The related verb accidere means to fall upon or to happen. An accident is such an occurrence that may happen. A cadence is the falling inflection of a voice. Decay is a falling in ruin. The related German verb is fallen. The Latin verb elidere means to strike out or to eject. This becomes the root word for elimination and eliminate. The Latin verb decidere means to resolve, to settle, or to cut off. This becomes the root word for the words decision and decide. Beginning from 1830, this term refers to making up one’s mind. The participle deciduous means deciduous (things that fall). The Latin verb perire means to perish or to waste away. From 1888 a perisher was one who destroys or likely to perish. The Latin verb prostrare means to strike down or throw down. The related French verb is ruiner.
Conclusion:
Prostrate, prostration, ruin, perish, decide, decision, deciduous, eliminate, elimination
In Greek Hellenism, it was interesting to discover the more varied and nuanced meanings of this term. This term can mean falling by the sword (dying). We are already familiar with the notion of falling down (prostrating oneself) before another person. The more nuanced meanings included failing, falling asleep, and having a downfall.
In the Old Testament, failing becomes more tied to one’s relationship with God. The more nuanced meanings include lying down, being allotted (land falls to someone), being inferior, neglecting, giving birth (the baby falls between one’s legs), oppressing (felling someone), being infertile (failing reproduction), and embracing someone (hands falling on someone’s neck). Some of these meanings continue in the New Testament.
I was also surprised how extensively this term is used in the New Testament. The parable of the two foundations (rock and sand) speaks to the importance of both hearing and acting upon the words of Jesus. The wise man is one who both hears and acts on the words of Jesus. The blind leading the blind essentially leads to falling down in failure. Jerusalem’s fall refers to its refusal to accept Jesus. Because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
Jesus makes reference to a grain of wheat falling to the ground. If it dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. One must lose (hate) his life in order to find eternal life. Otherwise, one who loves his life will lose his life. When Jesus says, “Amen, amen, I say to you”, Jesus begins to state something very important.
A very nuanced example pertains to a lot falling upon Matthias. The fallen hut of David pertains to the past difficulties of the family of David. Paul warns of falling (becoming disobedient or overconfident) in one’s relationship with God.
Update: Many of us are already seeing the great failures of this administration falling into our collective laps. We have yet to see to fallout of these actions.
I fall down on my knees and I beg your indulgence and patience for such a lengthy post.