Brief Overview of ἀποχωρίζω (G673: Apokhorizō)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apokhorizō

Root Words: The word ἀποχωρίζω is derived from the prefix ἀπό (apó), meaning “away from,” and the verb χωρίζω (chōrízō), meaning “to divide” or “to separate.” The combination suggests the act of separating or withdrawing from something.

Primary Meanings:

• To separate or divide from something or someone.
• To withdraw or set apart.
• To distinguish or differentiate from others.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀποχωρίζω as “to separate” or “to withdraw,” focusing on the act of dividing or setting apart. It can imply a physical or metaphorical separation, including distinguishing or isolating something or someone.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀποχωρίζω as “to separate” or “to withdraw,” with an emphasis on the act of distinguishing or setting apart from others.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary notes that ἀποχωρίζω means “to separate” or “to withdraw,” highlighting its use in contexts involving division or setting apart.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ defines ἀποχωρίζω as “to separate” or “to withdraw,” focusing on the concept of dividing or isolating from a group or situation.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s describes ἀποχωρίζω as “to separate” or “to withdraw,” emphasizing its application in contexts of division or setting apart.

Bible Verses:

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• Luke 6:22 (NIV): “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.” (In this context, the word reflects being separated or excluded due to one’s association with Jesus.)

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

Homer (The Iliad, 8th century BCE): Homer uses concepts similar to ἀποχωρίζω to describe the separation or withdrawal of warriors in battle.

Plato (Phaedo, 4th century BCE): Plato employs similar terminology to discuss the philosophical separation of the soul from the body.

Aristotle (Politics, 4th century BCE): Aristotle uses similar terms to describe the separation or division of various social or political groups.

4. Summary:

ἀποχωρίζω (Apokhorizō) primarily means “to separate” or “to withdraw,” referring to the act of dividing or setting apart from something or someone. It can denote both physical and metaphorical separation, including distinguishing or isolating oneself or others. In classical Greek literature, the term reflects various forms of division or withdrawal, illustrating its use in contexts of separation, exclusion, or isolation.