Brief Overview of ἀποκόπτω (G609: Apokoptō)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apokoptō

Root Words: Derived from ἀπό (apo), meaning “from” or “away from,” and κόπτω (koptō), meaning “to cut” or “to strike.” Thus, ἀποκόπτω means “to cut off” or “to cut away.”

Primary Meanings:

• To cut off or remove by cutting.
• To sever or detach something from its source or place.
• In a metaphorical sense, to reject or exclude.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀποκόπτω as “to cut off” or “to cut away.” It emphasizes the literal act of severing or removing something, and can also include metaphorical uses such as rejection or exclusion.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀποκόπτω as “to cut off” or “to sever.” It highlights the term’s use in both literal and metaphorical contexts, including the idea of cutting off from a group or removing something.

Vines: According to Vines’ Expository Dictionary, ἀποκόπτω means “to cut off” or “to cut away,” referring to the act of severing or detaching something. This can be applied both physically and metaphorically.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ defines ἀποκόπτω as “to cut off” or “to sever.” It notes the term’s use in classical Greek to describe physical acts of cutting as well as metaphorical applications.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀποκόπτω as “to cut off” or “to sever,” focusing on the literal and metaphorical act of cutting away or detaching.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

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Homer (The Iliad, 8th century BCE): Homer uses terms related to cutting or severing to describe physical acts in battle, reflecting the concept of cutting off or removing.

Sophocles (Oedipus Rex, 5th century BCE): Sophocles employs related terms to describe dramatic actions involving severing or cutting, illustrating the concept in a theatrical context.

Herodotus (Histories, 5th century BCE): Herodotus uses similar terms to describe historical and military actions involving cutting off or severing, reflecting the term’s application in real-world contexts.

4. Summary:

The Greek word ἀποκόπτω (Apokoptō) means “to cut off” or “to cut away.” It denotes the act of severing or detaching something, with applications both literal and metaphorical. In classical Greek literature, it is used to describe physical acts of cutting or removing, as well as metaphorical actions involving rejection or exclusion. The term conveys the idea of removing or separating, illustrating its use in various historical, dramatic, and literary contexts.