gescieppan

From Proto-Germanic *gaskapjaną. Cognate with Old Saxon giskeppian, Old High German giscaffan, Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐍃𐌺𐌰𐍀𐌾𐌰𐌽 (gaskapjan). Equivalent to ġe- +‎ sċieppan.

• IPA^(key): /jeˈʃi͜yp.pɑn/

ġesċieppan

1. to create
   • late 10th century, Ælfric, the Old English Hexateuch, Genesis 1:1

     On anġinne ġesċōp God heofenan and eorðan.

     In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth.

   • c. 992, Ælfric, "Sermon on the Beginning of Creation"

     God ġesċōp tō mǣrum engle þone þe nū is Dēofol.

     God created him as a great angel before he became the Devil.

   • c. 1932, J. R. R. Tolkien, Old English version of the "Annals of Valinor"

     On frumsċeafte, Ælfæder ġesċōp eall þing, and þā Godu cōmon on þās weorolde.

     In the beginning, Ilúvatar created all things, and the Valar came into this world.

2. to shape; form, mold
   • late 9th century, King Alfred's translation of Pope Gregory's Pastoral Care

     Wē sind ġesċeapen æfter þǣre bȳsne ūres sċieppendes.

     We are modeled after the example of our creator.

   • late 10th century, Ælfric's translation of Alcuin's Questions and Answers on Genesis

     Hū is tō understandenne þæt "sē Godes gāst wæs ġefēred ofer wætru"? Ne fērde Godes gāst wōriġende ofer þā wætru, ac þurh his miht and wissunge tō ġesċieppenne and tō ġelīffestenne þæt unġehīewode andtimber.

     How should we interpret "the spirit of God was moving over the waters"? God's spirit was not wandering there aimlessly, but using its power and wisdom to shape and give life to the unformed material.

3. to destine a lot to

• See sċieppan.

• ġesċeaft
• ġesċeap