Introduction

Understanding Greek words in biblical studies is essential for grasping the full depth and nuance of New Testament texts. Each word carries layers of meaning that contribute to the overall message of the scriptures. The word ἐκφεύγω (ekpheugō) is particularly significant because it appears in contexts of escape, deliverance, and safety, often with theological implications. Its study not only enhances New Testament interpretation but also offers insight into how ancient Greek culture understood concepts of escape and protection.

Key Information

ἐκφεύγω (ekpheugō) [ek-FYOO-go]

• Etymology: Derived from the preposition ἐκ (ek, meaning “out of”) and the verb φεύγω (pheugō, meaning “to flee”).
• Part of Speech: Verb
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• To flee out of: This primary meaning implies an active effort to escape from danger or a threatening situation.
• To escape: Often used in contexts where someone avoids an impending threat or difficulty by leaving or getting away.

Similar Words:

• φεύγω (pheugō) [FYOO-go]: Meaning “to flee,” this word lacks the prefix ἐκ, so it generally means “to flee” without the specific nuance of “out of” or “away from something.”
• ἀποφεύγω (apopheugō) [ah-po-FYOO-go]: A related verb with the prefix ἀπο (apo, meaning “from”), which can emphasize the origin of the escape.

Further Insights:

• Morphology: The verb ἐκφεύγω is a compound word, formed by the preposition ἐκ and the verb φεύγω. The prefix ἐκ adds the idea of “out of,” emphasizing a motion away from something. This word is an active verb, indicating that the subject is taking the action of escaping.
• Verb Conjugation: ἐκφεύγω follows standard Greek conjugation patterns for a verb of its type. Below is a table showing its full conjugation:

Lexicon Insights

BDAG: The lexicon notes that ἐκφεύγω is used primarily in contexts where escape from danger or trouble is in view, often with a sense of divine deliverance.

Thayer’s: Thayer emphasizes the physical act of fleeing out of a place, highlighting its usage in various New Testament contexts where believers escape persecution or imminent danger.

Vine’s: Vine’s points out that ἐκφεύγω often carries a theological nuance, where the escape is seen as part of God’s protective action on behalf of the faithful.

LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon offers examples of ἐκφεύγω in classical Greek literature, where it is used in secular contexts of war, hunting, and escape from capture.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s highlights the frequency of ἐκφεύγω in New Testament passages, noting its significance in illustrating the concept of divine escape.

Scripture References

• Luke 21:36: “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape (ἐκφεύγω) all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
• Acts 16:27: “When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped (ἐκφεύγω).”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἐκφεύγω (G1628: ekpheugō)

In summary, ἐκφεύγω is a Greek verb meaning “to escape” or “to flee out of.” It has significant theological implications in the New Testament, where it often appears in contexts of divine deliverance or avoidance of danger. The word also appears in classical Greek literature, illustrating its broad usage in both secular and religious contexts. Understanding this word enhances our comprehension of the urgent and often life-saving nature of “escape” as depicted in both biblical and ancient texts.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the word ἐκφεύγω was commonly used in ancient Greek military texts to describe soldiers escaping from battle? This usage provides insight into the word’s connotation of desperate, last-minute flights from danger, which parallels its use in the New Testament to describe spiritual deliverance.