Brief Overview of ἀποπίπτω (G634: Apopíptō)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apopíptō

Root Words: The term ἀποπίπτω (apopíptō) combines the prefix ἀπό (apó, “from”) with πίπτω (píptō, “to fall”).

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Primary Meanings:

• To fall away or to fall off.
• To drop off or be removed from a position or place.
• To decline or deteriorate in condition or status.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀποπίπτω as “to fall away from” or “to fall off,” indicating a separation from a place, position, or condition. It often implies a deterioration or decline.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀποπίπτω as “to fall away,” noting its use to indicate falling away from a position or condition, as well as deterioration.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary notes that ἀποπίπτω means “to fall away,” emphasizing its application to declining or falling off from a previous state or position.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ defines ἀποπίπτω as “to fall off” or “to fall away,” with implications of decline or deterioration in various contexts.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s describes ἀποπίπτω as “to fall away” or “to fall off,” highlighting its use in contexts of separation, decline, or deterioration.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

Homer (Iliad, 8th century BCE): Homer uses ἀποπίπτω to describe warriors falling off or away from their positions in battle, illustrating its meaning of physical falling or decline.

Herodotus (Histories, 5th century BCE): Herodotus employs the term in discussions about political or social decline, reflecting its use in contexts of falling away from a position or status.

Plato (Phaedo, 4th century BCE): Plato uses ἀποπίπτω in philosophical contexts to discuss the falling away of ideas or principles, showing its application in abstract or theoretical decline.

4. Summary:

ἀποπίπτω (apopíptō) means “to fall away” or “to fall off,” referring to a decline or separation from a place, position, or condition. It is used to describe physical falling as well as deterioration or decline in status or condition. In classical Greek literature, the term appears in various contexts related to physical battles, political or social decline, and philosophical discussions about the loss of principles. Understanding this term provides insight into the concept of decline or separation in both physical and abstract contexts in ancient Greek thought.