Brief Overview of παραφέρω (Strong’s G3911: parapherō)

Strong’s G3911: A compound verb combining παρα (beside/away) with φέρω (to carry/bear), meaning “to carry away, remove, or take away.” Most notably used in Jesus’s Gethsemane prayer requesting the cup of suffering to be removed. Conveys both physical movement and metaphorical removal.

U- Unveiling the Word

παραφέρω embodies both physical and spiritual movement, literally meaning “to carry beside or away.” Its most significant usage occurs in Jesus’s prayer in Gethsemane, where He asks for the cup of suffering to be removed if possible. The compound structure emphasizes complete removal or carrying away. Early church fathers often referenced this term when discussing Christ’s submission to the Father’s will and the nature of suffering. Today, it continues to illustrate the tension between human desire for deliverance and submission to divine purpose.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: παραφέρω, parapherō, /par-ah-FEH-ro/
• Detailed pronunciation: par (as in ‘par’) + ah + FEH (stressed) + ro
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• παρα- (para-): beside, away
• φέρω (pherō): to carry, bear
• -ω (-ō): verb ending

D – Defining Meanings

• To carry away
• To remove
• To take aside

For compound words:
παρα- indicates movement away or aside, while φέρω provides the concept of carrying or bearing, creating the sense of complete removal

Translation Options:

• “To remove” – emphasizes complete separation
• “To carry away” – maintains the physical movement metaphor
• “To take away” – captures both physical and metaphorical usage

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀποφέρω (apopherō) /ap-o-FEH-ro/ – to carry away, with emphasis on destination
• μεταφέρω (metapherō) /met-ah-FEH-ro/ – to transfer or transport
• ἐκφέρω (ekpherō) /ek-FEH-ro/ – to carry out, with emphasis on source

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, παραφέρω exhibits:

• Tense: Present, Aorist
• Voice: Active, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Imperative
• Person: 2nd, 3rd
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Progressive, Punctiliar

Examples:
παραφέρω (I carry away)
παρήνεγκα (I carried away – aorist)
παρενεγκεῖν (to carry away – infinitive)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its usage in prayer contexts. Thayer’s notes both literal and figurative applications. LSJ documents classical usage for physical removal. Vine’s highlights its significance in Gethsemane. Moulton and Milligan note its usage in legal documents for removal of property.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“And he said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. [παραφέρω] Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will'” (Mark 14:36)

Additional References:
Luke 22:42, Hebrews 13:9, Jude 1:12

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

παραφέρω powerfully expresses the concept of removal or carrying away, particularly significant in Jesus’s Gethsemane prayer, while also appearing in contexts of spiritual steadfastness and divine providence.

D – Did You Know?

• The word appears in all Synoptic accounts of the Gethsemane prayer
• Its usage in Hebrews warns against being carried away by strange teachings
• The term influenced early Christian discussions about prayer and submission to God’s will

[Lexicon Summary]
A compound verb combining παρα (beside/away) with φέρω (to carry/bear), meaning “to carry away, remove, or take away.” Most notably used in Jesus’s Gethsemane prayer requesting the cup of suffering to be removed. Conveys both physical movement and metaphorical removal.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: #verb #gethsemane #prayer #suffering #removal #compound_word #biblical_greek #new_testament #jesus #submission​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​