Introduction
Understanding the Greek language is crucial for deepening one’s study of the New Testament. Each word carries a wealth of meaning that often cannot be fully captured by a single English translation. One such word is ἐκχωρέω (ekchōreō), which appears in various contexts throughout ancient Greek texts, including the New Testament. This verb, though not as frequently encountered as some others, holds significance in understanding actions related to movement, departure, and yielding. By examining ἐκχωρέω, scholars and students alike can gain richer insights into the subtleties of Biblical narratives and the cultural undertones of the ancient world.
Key Information
ἐκχωρέω (ekchōreō) [ek-kho-REH-oh]
- Etymology: Derived from the prefix ἐκ (ek, meaning “out of”) and χωρέω (chōreō, meaning “to make room,” “to go,” or “to yield”).
- Part of Speech: Verb (Active, 1st Aorist)
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon
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Primary Meanings
- To depart or withdraw: Often used in the context of leaving a place, withdrawing from a situation, or making way.
- To give way or yield: Can imply both a physical movement of giving way or a metaphorical yielding, such as in surrendering or conceding to another’s position or authority.
- To make room: Used to describe the act of making space or allowing something to enter or proceed.
Similar Words:
- χωρέω (chōreō) [kho-REH-oh]: A related verb that emphasizes the aspect of making room or moving, without the specific directionality implied by ἐκ (ek).
- ἀναχωρέω (anachōreō) [an-a-kho-REH-oh]: A verb that conveys a similar sense of withdrawing or retreating but often with the connotation of moving backward or upward.
Further Insights:
- Morphology: The prefix ἐκ (ek) in ἐκχωρέω adds a nuance of direction, indicating movement outward or away from a place or situation. This outward motion is crucial in understanding the full implications of the word in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
- Usage: While ἐκχωρέω can be used in a literal sense of departing from a location, it is also used metaphorically to describe yielding or making concessions, adding layers of meaning depending on the context.
Lexicon Insights
BDAG: The BDAG lexicon highlights ἐκχωρέω as a term that is primarily used to describe the act of leaving a place or withdrawing. It also notes its use in the sense of yielding or making way, emphasizing its flexibility in both physical and figurative contexts.
Thayer’s: Thayer’s lexicon points out the verb’s application in contexts of departure, either in a physical sense or in a broader, more abstract sense of yielding or giving up something to another.
Vine’s: Vine’s dictionary draws attention to the verb’s metaphorical usage, particularly in New Testament passages where it describes a spiritual or moral yielding, such as submitting to God or giving way to divine authority.
LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon notes the broader use of ἐκχωρέω in classical Greek literature, where it frequently described both physical departure and the act of making room or giving place to something or someone else.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s underscores the verb’s occurrences in the New Testament, focusing on its meaning related to making way or yielding, as well as its literal use in departing or withdrawing from a situation.
Scripture References
- Mark 5:30 – “And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out (ἐκχωρέω) of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?”
- Acts 12:10 – “When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed (ἐκχωρέω) from him.”
- James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee (ἐκχωρέω) from you.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Herodotus | Histories | “They had to depart (ἐκχωρέω) from the city to avoid the oncoming invasion.” |
| Sophocles | Oedipus Rex | “He yielded (ἐκχωρέω) to the gods, understanding the limits of his power.” |
| Plutarch | Lives | “The general ordered the troops to withdraw (ἐκχωρέω) from the battlefield.” |
Summary of ἐκχωρέω (G1633: ekchōreō)
The verb ἐκχωρέω (ekchōreō) encompasses a range of meanings related to departure, yielding, and making way. In the New Testament, it often describes both literal acts of movement and more figurative actions, such as yielding to authority or making spiritual concessions. The word’s roots in classical Greek further illustrate its flexible use, spanning contexts from military withdrawal to moral surrender. Understanding ἐκχωρέω deepens one’s comprehension of the subtleties present in Biblical texts, particularly in passages that deal with themes of surrender, submission, and divine intervention.
Did You Know?
Did you know that ἐκχωρέω is not only used to describe physical departure but also plays a significant role in conveying the idea of spiritual and moral yielding? This dual application makes it a powerful word in the context of both human and divine actions, reflecting the multifaceted nature of yielding in both personal and communal experiences.
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