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Introduction
Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is essential for interpreting the New Testament accurately and gaining deeper insight into the cultural and historical context of ancient texts. The Greek word ἐξαποστέλλω (exapostellō) is significant because it conveys the concept of being sent forth with a mission or purpose. This verb has important theological implications, particularly in understanding how God sends prophets, apostles, or others with divine assignments, and it helps readers grasp the nuances of agency, authority, and divine commissioning in the biblical narrative.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ἐξαποστέλλω, transliterated as exapostellō [eks-ah-pos-TEL-lo]
- Etymology: Derived from the prefix ἐξ (ex, “out”) and ἀποστέλλω (apostellō, “to send”), emphasizing the act of sending out or dispatching with authority.
- Part of Speech: Verb.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- To send out, send forth.
- To dispatch with a particular purpose or mission.
- To release or dismiss.
Similar Words: ἀποστέλλω (apostellō) [ah-pos-TEL-lo] – Both words share the root concept of “sending.” However, ἐξαποστέλλω includes the prefix ἐξ-, which adds an intensity to the action, suggesting being sent out from a specific location or state to fulfill a specific mission or task.
Further Insights: The verb ἐξαποστέλλω is formed by combining the prefix ἐξ- (out) with the verb ἀποστέλλω (to send). This composition suggests not just a simple sending but a sending with authority and purpose. This word is often used in contexts where someone is dispatched for a significant mission, such as the sending of apostles or emissaries. Understanding its declension and morphological features can provide deeper insights into how it functions in various grammatical constructions.
| Tense | Voice | Mood | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present | Active | Indicative | ἐξαποστέλλω |
| Future | Active | Indicative | ἐξαποστελῶ |
| Aorist | Active | Indicative | ἐξαπέστειλα |
| Perfect | Active | Indicative | ἐξαποστέστακα |
| Imperfect | Active | Indicative | ἐξαπέστειλον |
Click here for a beginner’s guide to reading Greek.
Lexicon Insights
BDAG: Defines ἐξαποστέλλω as “to send forth” with an emphasis on the action being authorized or commanded by a higher authority. It is often used in contexts where a person or group is sent to accomplish a divinely ordained task.
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Thayers: Notes that ἐξαποστέλλω means “to send away” or “dispatch,” typically with a sense of urgency or authority. It is used to describe actions such as sending messengers or apostles on divine missions.
Vines: Highlights ἐξαποστέλλω as a verb implying a mission or commission. It focuses on its theological implications, especially in the New Testament, where it describes God’s sending of prophets, messengers, or the Holy Spirit.
LSJ: Refers to ἐξαποστέλλω as “to send out,” often used in both secular and religious texts to denote dispatching someone with authority to deliver a message or perform a task.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists ἐξαποστέλλω as “to send away or forth,” commonly applied to situations involving the commissioning of apostles or messengers.
Related Scripture References
- Luke 1:53: “He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent [ἐξαπέστειλεν] the rich away empty.”
- Mark 12:1: “A man planted a vineyard, put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. At the harvest time he sent [ἐξαπέστειλεν] a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive some of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers.”
- Acts 7:12: “But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent [ἐξαπέστειλεν] our fathers there the first time.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Herodotus | Histories | “He sent forth (ἐξαποστέλλω) his most trusted envoys to negotiate peace.” |
| Xenophon | Anabasis | “The general sent out (ἐξαποστέλλω) scouts to survey the enemy’s position.” |
| Plutarch | Lives | “The senate decided to send forth (ἐξαποστέλλω) ambassadors to resolve the conflict diplomatically.” |
Summary of ἐξαποστέλλω (G1821: exapostellō)
The Greek word ἐξαποστέλλω is a powerful verb that conveys the idea of sending forth or dispatching with authority and purpose. It appears frequently in Biblical texts where God, Jesus, or leaders send out individuals on missions, often with divine authority or significant purpose. Its use in classical literature further underscores its meaning of sending forth with intention, making it a word rich with connotations of purpose, authority, and mission.
Did You Know?
The concept of “sending” in the ancient world was not just a physical act but also carried symbolic and authoritative meanings. The use of ἐξαποστέλλω often implies not just the physical dispatching of a person but the granting of authority and responsibility to act on behalf of the sender.
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