Brief Overview of ἀπό (G575)

Meaning and Usage:

• General Definition: The Greek preposition ἀπό (apó) generally means “from,” “away from,” or “of.” It denotes separation or origin and is used to indicate the point of departure or source in various contexts.
• Contextual Usage: It can describe physical movement away from a location, the origin of something, or the source of an action or event. It can also indicate a starting point in time or the origin of a statement or idea.

Detailed Overview with Additional Concordances

Etymology and Lexicon References:

1. Strong’s Concordance (G575): Strong’s defines ἀπό as “from,” used to indicate separation or the point of origin. It is a preposition that is commonly used in both literal and figurative senses to denote departure, distance, or the source of something.
2. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: Thayer’s describes ἀπό as meaning “from,” “away from,” or “out of.” It is used to denote separation or origin, both physically and metaphorically. The lexicon highlights its usage in contexts involving the source or starting point of an action or location.
3. BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀπό as “from,” with an emphasis on separation, origin, or point of departure. It is used in a variety of contexts to indicate the source or starting point, whether spatial, temporal, or metaphorical.
4. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ describes ἀπό as meaning “from” or “away from,” with applications ranging from physical distance to metaphorical separation. It is employed to signify the point of origin or departure.

Biblical Context:

• Usage in Scripture: In the New Testament, ἀπό is frequently used to denote physical separation or origin. For example, in John 1:14, it refers to “the Word” coming “from” the Father, indicating origin. In Acts 2:5, it denotes the origin of Jews who came “from” various regions. It is also used in more abstract senses, such as in Romans 6:23, where it denotes “the wages of sin,” implying the outcome or result stemming from sin.

In summary, ἀπό (G575) is a versatile Greek preposition meaning “from,” “away from,” or “of.” It is used to indicate the point of origin, separation, or source in various contexts, including spatial, temporal, and metaphorical uses. Greek lexicons and biblical texts highlight its role in denoting departure, origin, or the starting point of actions and ideas.