Introduction

Understanding Greek words is essential for deepening one’s comprehension of biblical texts. The Greek word ἐκλείπω (ekleipō) is particularly significant due to its usage in the New Testament to convey concepts related to cessation, exhaustion, or disappearance. This term not only plays a crucial role in interpreting certain passages but also provides insight into the broader context of ancient Greek culture and language. Through this overview, we will explore the word’s meanings, its usage in the New Testament, and its relevance in classical Greek literature.

Key Information

• Greek Word: ἐκλείπω (ekleipō) [ek-LAY-po]
• Etymology: Derived from the prefix ἐκ- (ek-), meaning “out of” or “from,” and the verb λείπω (leipō), meaning “to leave” or “to abandon.”
• Part of Speech: Verb (Present Active Indicative)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• To Fail: This primary meaning of ἐκλείπω refers to something or someone ceasing to function, faltering, or being unable to continue.
• To Cease: The word also carries the meaning of coming to an end or stopping entirely.
• To Disappear: In some contexts, ἐκλείπω is used to describe something that fades away or disappears from sight or existence.

Similar Words:

• ἀπολείπω (apoleipō) [a-po-LAY-po]: This word means “to leave behind” or “to forsake,” with a slightly different nuance of abandonment.
• παύω (pauō) [PAH-wo]: A verb meaning “to stop” or “to bring to an end,” which shares some conceptual overlap with ἐκλείπω but can imply a more active cessation.

Further Insights

• Morphology: The word ἐκλείπω is a compound verb that combines the prefix ἐκ- (ek-) with the root λείπω (leipō). The prefix intensifies the meaning of the root verb, adding a sense of something ceasing completely or entirely disappearing.
• Notable Linguistic Features: The verb is often used in a figurative sense to describe failure or exhaustion, particularly in contexts where strength, resources, or time run out.

Verb Conjugation Chart (Present Active Indicative)

Lexicon Insights

• BDAG: The BDAG lexicon emphasizes the use of ἐκλείπω in contexts where something ceases to exist or is exhausted, particularly in reference to human endurance or natural phenomena.
• Thayer’s: Thayer’s lexicon highlights the figurative use of ἐκλείπω to describe the fading of strength or hope, as well as its literal use in natural contexts, such as the sun failing to shine.
• Vine’s: Vine’s Expository Dictionary points out the word’s use in eschatological contexts, where it describes the cessation of cosmic events, like the darkening of the sun.
• LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon provides classical examples where ἐκλείπω is used to describe physical exhaustion or the complete disappearance of something.
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s highlights the verb’s occurrence in passages discussing the end of time or the exhaustion of resources, linking it to themes of finality.

Scripture References:

• Luke 22:32: “But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail (ἐκλείπω).”
• Luke 16:9: “And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails (ἐκλείπω), they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, ἐκλείπω is often used to describe both literal and metaphorical forms of exhaustion, cessation, or disappearance. It can refer to anything from a physical depletion of resources to the fading of light or the end of an era.

Summary of ἐκλείπω (G1587: ekleipō)

The Greek verb ἐκλείπω (ekleipō) is a multifaceted term that carries significant weight in both biblical and classical contexts. It encapsulates the concept of something ceasing to exist, failing, or disappearing entirely. In the New Testament, it is often used to describe the failure of faith, the end of resources, or the cessation of natural phenomena. Understanding this word enriches our comprehension of the texts where it appears, shedding light on the themes of finality, exhaustion, and the limits of human or natural endurance. Its usage in classical Greek literature further demonstrates its broad applicability, from describing the literal fading of light to the metaphorical failure of hope or virtue.

Did You Know?

The word ἐκλείπω is the root of the English word “eclipse,” which literally means “a failing” or “a disappearance” of light, reflecting the original Greek meaning. This etymological connection highlights how the ancient understanding of cosmic events continues to influence modern language.