Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for accurate interpretation and deeper insights into the text. The Greek word ἐκβολή (ekbolē), found in the New Testament, is significant for its role in describing actions or events related to expulsion or removal. This word provides key insights into certain Biblical passages and contributes to our understanding of ancient Greek culture, particularly in contexts where actions of forceful removal or casting out are concerned.

Key Information

• Greek Word: ἐκβολή (ekbolē) [ek-bo-LAY]
• Etymology: Derived from ἐκβάλλω (ekballō), meaning “to throw out” or “to cast out.”
• Part of Speech: Noun (feminine)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• Expulsion or Ejection: The act of throwing out or casting away.
• Discharge: Can refer to the expulsion of things, such as cargo from a ship, typically during a storm to lighten the vessel.
• Loss: Sometimes used to describe the loss that occurs due to such expulsion.

Similar Words:

• ἐκβάλλω (ekballō) [ek-BAL-lo]: A verb form meaning “to cast out” or “to expel,” from which ἐκβολή is derived. While ἐκβάλλω is an action, ἐκβολή is the result or state following that action.
• ἀποβάλλω (apoballō) [apo-BAL-lo]: Meaning “to throw away,” but often carries a sense of voluntary disposal, unlike the forceful connotation of ἐκβολή.

Further Insights

• Morphology: The word ἐκβολή is a feminine noun in the first declension.

English Examples:

• Nominative: “The expulsion was inevitable.” (ἐκβολή)
• Genitive: “The cost of the expulsion was high.” (ἐκβολῆς)
• Dative: “She spoke of the expulsion with concern.” (ἐκβολῇ)
• Accusative: “They feared the expulsion.” (ἐκβολήν)
• Vocative: “O expulsion, how severe you are!” (ἐκβολή)

Lexicon Insights

• BDAG: Defines ἐκβολή primarily as an act of expulsion, particularly in the context of cargo being jettisoned from a ship.
• Thayer’s: Notes the usage of ἐκβολή in maritime contexts, often related to the disposal of goods during emergencies.
• Vine’s: Emphasizes the word’s connotation of forced removal, highlighting its occurrence in narratives of shipwrecks.
• LSJ: Explains its use in classical literature, often in legal or military contexts, referring to expulsion or exile.
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Links ἐκβολή to passages where the term denotes the physical act of throwing out, such as in a storm at sea.

Scripture References:

• Acts 27:18 – “And we, being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship.”

Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, ἐκβολή was used in various contexts, often related to legal or civic expulsion.

Summary of ἐκβολή (G1546: ekbolē)

The word ἐκβολή is essential for understanding the New Testament’s portrayal of events involving expulsion, particularly in maritime contexts. This noun, derived from ἐκβάλλω, signifies the result of an expulsion, whether of people, objects, or goods. It highlights moments of crisis, such as in Acts 27:18, where cargo is jettisoned to save a ship. The word also has rich applications in classical Greek literature, where it often relates to civic or military expulsions.

Did You Know?

The word ἐκβολή is not only found in the New Testament but also in classical Greek literature, where it was used in legal contexts to describe the forced expulsion of individuals from a city or community. This reflects its broader cultural significance in ancient Greece, where such expulsions were a common practice in response to political or social upheaval.