Brief Overview of ἀποκρίνομαι (G611: Apokrínomai)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apokrínomai

Root Words: Derived from ἀπό (apo), meaning “from” or “away from,” and κρίνω (krinō), meaning “to judge” or “to decide.” Thus, ἀποκρίνομαι means “to answer” or “to reply.”

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Primary Meanings:

• To respond or answer a question or inquiry.
• To make a reply, especially in formal or judicial contexts.
• To give a judgment or decision in response to a question or situation.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀποκρίνομαι as “to answer” or “to reply,” particularly in response to a question or inquiry. It emphasizes the term’s use in providing a formal or structured reply, often in judicial or rhetorical contexts.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀποκρίνομαι as “to answer” or “to respond.” It highlights its use in various contexts where a reply or answer is given, especially in formal or official settings.

Vines: According to Vines’ Expository Dictionary, ἀποκρίνομαι means “to answer” or “to reply,” focusing on the act of responding to a question or situation with a formal or structured reply.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ defines ἀποκρίνομαι as “to answer” or “to reply,” noting its use in classical Greek to describe the act of responding to questions or inquiries, often in formal or official contexts.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀποκρίνομαι as “to answer” or “to reply,” focusing on the act of making a response or giving an answer to a question or situation.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

Aristotle (Rhetoric, 4th century BCE): Aristotle uses related terms to describe the act of responding or answering in rhetorical arguments, illustrating the concept of giving a formal reply.

Plato (Apology, 4th century BCE): Plato employs similar terms in the context of Socratic dialogues, where responses and answers are central to the philosophical discussion and debate.

Demosthenes (Olynthiacs, 4th century BCE): Demosthenes uses related terms to discuss responses and answers in political speeches, reflecting their importance in formal public discourse.

4. Summary:

The Greek word ἀποκρίνομαι (Apokrínomai) means “to answer” or “to reply.” It refers to the act of responding to a question or inquiry, often in a formal or judicial context. In classical Greek literature, it is used to describe responses in rhetorical, philosophical, and political settings, emphasizing the importance of structured and formal replies. The term conveys the idea of making a considered response to a question or situation, illustrating its application in various historical and literary contexts.