Understanding ἀποφέρω (apopherō) Strong’s G667: The Divine Act of Carrying Away in God’s Sovereign Plan

Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-FEH-rō

Basic Definition

Strong’s G667: ἀποφέρω (apopherō) conveys the act of carrying or bearing away, often with purposeful intent. This compound verb combines the preposition ἀπό (away from) with φέρω (to carry/bear), creating a word that emphasizes both movement and purpose. In biblical usage, it frequently carries theological significance, depicting divine transportation or the deliberate removal of something or someone.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀπό (from, away from) + φέρω (to bear, carry)
• Primary usage in narrative passages
• Found in both active and passive voices
• Used in contexts of both physical and spiritual transportation
• Appears in Classical Greek, Koine Greek, and Septuagint

ἀποφέρω Morphology:

• ἀποφέρω (present active indicative) – I carry away
• ἀπήνεγκεν (aorist active indicative) – he/she/it carried away
• ἀπενεχθῆναι (aorist passive infinitive) – to be carried away
• ἀποφέρεσθαι (present passive infinitive) – to be being carried away
• ἀποφέροντες (present active participle) – carrying away

Origin & History

The verb ἀποφέρω has a rich history in classical Greek literature, where it initially described the physical act of carrying items from one location to another. Xenophon used it in his “Anabasis” to describe the transportation of supplies, while Herodotus employed it when describing the carrying away of treasures.

In the Septuagint, ἀποφέρω takes on additional theological significance. It appears in contexts describing both divine intervention (such as Elijah’s transportation to heaven) and judgment (the carrying away into exile). This theological weight carries forward into New Testament usage, where the word often carries implications of divine purpose in the act of transportation.

The early church fathers, particularly Chrysostom in his homilies, used ἀποφέρω to describe spiritual transformations, especially in contexts of believers being “carried away” from worldly concerns to heavenly mindedness.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To carry away or transport from one place to another
• To bear away (often with divine purpose)
• To remove or separate completely
• To convey or transfer with authority

ἀποφέρω Translation Options:

• “to carry away” – Best for contexts involving physical transportation
• “to bear away” – Appropriate when emphasizing the burden or significance of what’s being carried
• “to remove completely” – Useful when the emphasis is on separation
• “to transport divinely” – Fitting for contexts of supernatural intervention
• “to convey with purpose” – Suitable for contexts emphasizing divine intent

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀποφέρω appears in contexts that often carry theological significance. Its first appearance in Mark 15:1 sets a tone of divine sovereignty working through human actions, even in apparently negative circumstances.

The word appears in particularly powerful contexts in the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:22, where angels carry away the soul of Lazarus to Abraham’s bosom. This usage suggests divine care and purpose in the transportation of the righteous after death.

• “[They] carried away [ἀπήνεγκαν] Jesus and delivered Him to Pilate.” Mark 15:1
• “The poor man died and was carried away [ἀπενεχθῆναι] by the angels.” Luke 16:22
• “The sick were carried out [ἀποφέρεσθαι] so that Peter’s shadow might fall on them.” Acts 5:15
• “The river carried away [ἀπήνεγκεν] the water the serpent had spewed.” Revelation 12:15

Cultural Insights

In the ancient world, the concept of being “carried away” often carried significant cultural and spiritual implications. In Jewish thought, transportation by divine agents (such as angels) was seen as a mark of God’s special favor or intervention. This is evidenced in various Second Temple period texts where righteous individuals are described as being transported by angels to Paradise.

The passive voice of ἀποφέρω, when used in religious contexts, often employed what scholars call the “divine passive” – a grammatical construction that implies God as the active agent without directly naming Him. This reflects the Jewish reverence for God’s name and sovereignty while still clearly communicating His direct involvement in the action.

Theological Significance

The theological implications of ἀποφέρω are profound, particularly in how they reveal God’s sovereign control over all transportation and removal. Whether in contexts of apparent tragedy (like the Messiah being carried away to Pilate) or triumph (like Lazarus being carried to Abraham’s bosom), the word emphasizes that no movement occurs outside of God’s sovereign purpose.

This word also carries important implications for understanding divine providence. Even when humans or angels are the immediate agents of the carrying away, the passive constructions often used with ἀποφέρω suggest God’s ultimate oversight. This provides comfort in understanding that even seemingly negative “carrying away” experiences (like Paul’s imprisonment) serve God’s greater purposes.

Furthermore, ἀποφέρω appears in contexts that foreshadow the final transportation of believers to their heavenly dwelling, suggesting that all Spirit-led movement in this life prepares us for that ultimate carrying away to be with the Lord.

Personal Application

When we encounter ἀποφέρω in Scripture, we’re reminded that God is in control of every transition and transportation in our lives. Just as Lazarus was carried away by angels to Abraham’s bosom, we can trust that every circumstance that “carries us away” from our current situation – whether seemingly positive or negative – is under God’s sovereign control.

This understanding can transform how we view life’s transitions. Whether facing a job relocation, a ministry transition, or even the final transition from this life to the next, we can trust that we’re being “carried away” according to God’s perfect plan and timing.

Related Words

• μεταφέρω (metapherō) – to transfer, transport: Similar in meaning but emphasizes change rather than removal See G3346
• ἐκφέρω (ekpherō) – to bring out, carry forth: Focuses on the point of departure rather than the destination See G1627
• συμφέρω (sympherō) – to bring together, benefit: Contains the same root but emphasizes gathering rather than separation See G4851
• διαφέρω (diapherō) – to carry through, differ: Emphasizes movement through something rather than away from it See G1308

Did you Know?

• In ancient Greek medical texts, ἀποφέρω was used to describe the transfer of vital fluids within the body, highlighting the word’s connection to life-sustaining movement.
• The compound structure of ἀποφέρω (ἀπό + φέρω) follows a common pattern in Greek where adding ἀπό to a verb creates a new word emphasizing separation or completion, similar to how English adds “away” to verbs.
• Modern Greek still uses ἀποφέρω, though primarily in formal contexts, particularly in legal and medical documentation where precise language about transportation or removal is required.

Remember This

ἀποφέρω reminds us that in God’s sovereign plan, every instance of being “carried away” – whether by circumstance, angels, or the Spirit – serves His divine purpose and our ultimate good.