Brief Overview of ἀποτάσσω (G657: Apotássō)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apotássō

Root Words: The term ἀποτάσσω is derived from the prefix ἀπό (apó), meaning “away from,” and τάσσω (tássō), meaning “to arrange” or “to set.” Combined, ἀποτάσσω translates to “to dismiss” or “to appoint away from” in various contexts.

Primary Meanings:

• To dismiss or to lay aside.
• To appoint or designate to a particular position or duty.
• To set apart or separate.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀποτάσσω as “to appoint or dismiss” in a formal sense, including both the act of assigning a role and the act of dismissing someone from a position or responsibility. The term can also be used in the context of arranging or organizing.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀποτάσσω as “to appoint, assign, or to dismiss,” reflecting its use in both the sense of assigning roles and dismissing individuals.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary explains that ἀποτάσσω means “to appoint” or “to assign,” particularly in administrative or organizational contexts. It emphasizes the formal aspect of the term.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ lists ἀποτάσσω as meaning “to set in order, to appoint, or to dismiss,” providing a broad range of applications from formal appointments to dismissals.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀποτάσσω as “to appoint” or “to dismiss,” consistent with the other lexicons in capturing both the appointment and dismissal senses.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

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Herodotus (Histories, 5th century BCE): Herodotus uses terms related to ἀποτάσσω to describe administrative appointments and organizational roles, reflecting its application in historical and bureaucratic contexts.

Xenophon (Cyropaedia, 4th century BCE): Xenophon discusses appointments and military organization, providing examples of how ἀποτάσσω was used to designate roles and responsibilities.

Plato (Laws, 4th century BCE): Plato’s dialogues include discussions on the organization and assignment of duties, relevant to understanding the use of ἀποτάσσω in formal contexts.

4. Summary:

ἀποτάσσω (apotássō) encompasses meanings related to appointment, assignment, and dismissal. It reflects both the formal process of assigning roles and the act of laying aside or dismissing individuals from responsibilities. This term is used in various historical and administrative contexts to denote organization and delegation. Understanding ἀποτάσσω provides insight into formal processes of role designation and dismissal in ancient Greek society.