Brief Overview of ἀπόδημος (G590)

Meaning and Usage:

• General Definition: The Greek adjective ἀπόδημος (apodēmos) means “away from home” or “foreign.” It describes a state of being away from one’s native place or residing in a foreign land.
• Contextual Usage: This term is used to indicate a temporary or permanent absence from one’s home country, often in the context of travel or living in another region.

Detailed Overview with Additional Concordances

Etymology and Lexicon References:

1. Strong’s Concordance (G590): Strong’s defines ἀπόδημος as “away from home” or “foreign.” This definition emphasizes its use to describe someone who is not in their native land, whether due to travel or residing elsewhere.
2. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: Thayer’s defines ἀπόδημος as “one who is abroad or a foreigner.” This lexicon highlights the term’s application to individuals who are away from their home country or living in a foreign land.
3. BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG describes ἀπόδημος as “a person living away from home” or “foreign.” It notes that this term is used to denote someone who is not in their native land, either temporarily or permanently.
4. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ defines ἀπόδημος as “abroad” or “away from one’s home.” It includes the sense of living in a foreign country or being temporarily away from one’s homeland.

Biblical Context:

• Usage in Scripture: The term ἀπόδημος is used to describe those who are living away from their native land or are in a foreign place. For instance, in Hebrews 11:13, it refers to people who are described as “strangers and pilgrims” on earth, emphasizing their status as foreigners or temporary residents.

In summary, ἀπόδημος (G590) describes the state of being “away from home” or “foreign,” used to denote individuals who are living in a place other than their native land. Greek lexicons and biblical references confirm its usage in contexts of travel, foreign residence, or temporary absence from one’s homeland.