Brief Overview of ἀποτίθημι (G659: Apotíthēmi)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apotíthēmi

Root Words: The word ἀποτίθημι is composed of the prefix ἀπό (apó), meaning “away from” or “off,” and τίθημι (títhēmi), meaning “to place” or “to put.” Together, ἀποτίθημι means “to put away” or “to lay aside.”

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Primary Meanings:

• To lay aside or put away.
• To remove or discard something.
• To place something at a distance or to set aside for later.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀποτίθημι as “to lay aside” or “to put away.” This term is used to describe the action of setting something aside, often with the connotation of removing it from one’s possession or attention.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀποτίθημι as “to lay aside” or “to put off.” It is used in contexts where something is removed or set aside, especially in relation to personal actions or behaviors.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary notes that ἀποτίθημι means “to put away” or “to lay aside,” with an emphasis on the act of removing something from one’s current state or context.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ defines ἀποτίθημι as “to lay aside” or “to put away,” consistent with its usage in removing or setting aside objects or actions.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀποτίθημι as “to lay aside,” capturing its primary meaning of putting something away or setting it apart.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics, 4th century BCE): Aristotle uses terms related to ἀποτίθημι to discuss the concept of laying aside certain virtues or actions in the pursuit of ethical behavior.

Plato (Republic, 4th century BCE): Plato’s works include examples of using ἀποτίθημι to describe setting aside previous beliefs or practices in favor of new philosophical understandings.

Demosthenes (Orations, 4th century BCE): Demosthenes employs ἀποτίθημι in political and legal contexts to denote the act of discarding or removing certain arguments or pieces of evidence.

4. Summary:

ἀποτίθημι (apotíthēmi) means “to lay aside” or “to put away.” It involves the action of removing or discarding something, whether it be an object, a piece of evidence, or a personal behavior. This term is used in various contexts, including philosophical discussions, ethical considerations, and political rhetoric, reflecting its broad application in describing the act of setting something apart or removing it from one’s current focus.