1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apoleípō

Root Words: Derived from ἀπό (apo), meaning “from” or “away from,” and λείπω (leípō), meaning “to leave” or “to leave behind.” Thus, ἀπολείπω means “to leave behind” or “to forsake.”

Primary Meanings:

• To leave behind or forsake something or someone.
• To abandon or depart from a place or situation.
• To be left in a certain state or condition.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀπολείπω as “to leave behind” or “to forsake.” It emphasizes the act of leaving something in a particular state or condition, often implying a sense of abandonment or departure.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀπολείπω as “to leave behind,” “to forsake,” or “to abandon.” It notes its use in contexts where someone or something is left or deserted.

Vines: According to Vines’ Expository Dictionary, ἀπολείπω means “to leave behind” or “to forsake,” focusing on the action of abandoning or departing from something or someone.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ defines ἀπολείπω as “to leave behind,” “to forsake,” or “to be absent,” highlighting its application in various contexts of departure or abandonment.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀπολείπω as “to leave behind” or “to forsake,” with a focus on the act of leaving or abandoning something or someone.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

Homer (Iliad, 8th century BCE): Homer uses related terms to describe situations where individuals or groups are left behind or abandoned in the context of warfare or heroism.

Herodotus (Histories, 5th century BCE): Herodotus uses similar terms to describe the abandonment of places or people, particularly in the context of historical events and conquests.

Euripides (Medea, 5th century BCE): Euripides employs related terms in his tragedies to explore themes of abandonment and forsaking, particularly in emotional and dramatic contexts.

4. Summary:

The Greek word ἀπολείπω (Apoleípō) means “to leave behind” or “to forsake.” It refers to the act of abandoning or departing from something or someone, often implying a sense of desertion or abandonment. In classical Greek literature, the term is used to describe scenarios of leaving or forsaking, reflecting its application in both historical and dramatic contexts. The term captures the essence of being left behind or abandoned, illustrating its use in various narratives and situations of departure.