Brief Overview of ἀπωθέω (G683: apōthéō)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: apōthéō

Root Words:

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• ἀπωθέω (apōthéō) is derived from the Greek prefix ἀπό (apó) meaning “away from” and the root θέω (théō), which is related to the concept of “placing” or “putting.”

Primary Meanings:

• To push away
• To drive off or repel
• To reject or refuse

The word ἀπωθέω generally conveys the idea of pushing something or someone away, whether physically or metaphorically.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG provides a detailed description of ἀπωθέω as meaning “to push away” or “to reject” in a physical or metaphorical sense. It can refer to the act of repelling or turning away something that is unwelcome.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines ἀπωθέω as meaning “to push away” or “to reject.” It is used both in a physical context (e.g., pushing away an object) and a metaphorical context (e.g., rejecting a proposal or idea).

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary describes ἀπωθέω as meaning “to drive away” or “to reject.” It is used to denote the action of pushing away something undesirable or dismissing something with disapproval.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon defines ἀπωθέω similarly, focusing on its use in physical and metaphorical contexts to indicate driving away or rejecting.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀπωθέω as “to push away” or “to reject,” highlighting its use in contexts where something is being driven away or dismissed.

Bible Verses:

• Matthew 15:14 (KJV): “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”
• Here, the idea of rejection or turning away can be inferred in the sense of avoiding guidance from those who are blind.
• Acts 7:39 (KJV): “To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt.”
• In this context, ἀπωθέω is used to describe the action of rejecting or thrusting away the message of Moses.
• Hebrews 12:17 (KJV): “For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.”
• Here, ἀπωθέω can relate to the notion of being rejected or turned away from an opportunity.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

In classic Greek literature, ἀπωθέω is used in various contexts:

• Aristotle uses the term in discussions about physical interactions and the rejection of ideas or proposals.
• Plato may use the term in dialogues that involve discussions of ethics and the rejection of flawed arguments.
• Sophocles and other playwrights use it to describe characters rejecting or repelling others in dramatic situations.

4. Summary:

The Greek word ἀπωθέω (G683: apōthéō) primarily means “to push away,” “to reject,” or “to drive off.” It can be applied in both physical contexts and metaphorical senses to indicate the act of repelling or rejecting something. Lexicons like BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, and LSJ provide consistent definitions focusing on the idea of rejection or repulsion. The word appears in the New Testament to denote rejection or turning away from something, with its usage in classic Greek literature showing similar themes of repulsion and rejection.