Understanding ἀπαίρω (apairō) Strong’s G522: The Divine Timing of Being Taken Away in God’s Sovereign Plan

Pronunciation Guide: ah-pa’-ee-ro

Basic Definition

Strong’s G522: ἀπαίρω (apairō) describes the act of being taken or carried away, often with a sense of divine timing or sovereign purpose. The word combines the preposition ἀπό (away from) with αἴρω (to lift up or take), creating a compound verb that emphasizes both separation and elevation in its movement. This term carries particular theological weight in contexts discussing divine orchestration of events and timing.

Etymology and Morphology

• Verb (present active indicative)
• Compound word from ἀπό (from) + αἴρω (to lift/raise)
• Primary usage in narrative sections
• Classical Greek origin
• Transitional word indicating movement or change

ἀπαίρω Morphology:

• ἀπαίρω (present active) – I take away
• ἀπαρθῇ (aorist passive subjunctive) – might be taken away
• ἀπαρθήσεται (future passive indicative) – will be taken away
• ἀπῆρεν (aorist active indicative) – took away

Origin & History

The word ἀπαίρω has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it was commonly used in maritime contexts to describe ships setting sail or departing from harbor. Xenophon employed it in his “Anabasis” to describe military movements, while Thucydides used it to narrate fleet departures in his histories.

In the Septuagint, ἀπαίρω appears frequently in the narrative portions of the Pentateuch, particularly in Exodus and Numbers, describing Israel’s wilderness journeys. The word takes on spiritual significance as it depicts God’s sovereign guidance of His people through their desert wanderings.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To take away or remove, especially in a decisive or significant manner
• To depart or withdraw, often with divine timing or purpose
• To be lifted up and carried away from a previous position
• To be separated or removed by external force or authority

ἀπαίρω Translation Options:

• “to take away” – emphasizing the removal aspect
• “to be carried away” – highlighting the passive nature when in passive voice
• “to depart” – focusing on the movement aspect
• “to be separated” – stressing the resulting condition

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀπαίρω appears most notably in Matthew 9:15, where Jesus uses it to prophetically reference His own future departure from His disciples. The word choice is significant, as it carries undertones of divine necessity and predetermined timing rather than mere happenstance.

The term appears in several key prophetic and narrative contexts throughout Scripture, each time emphasizing God’s sovereign control over the timing and circumstances of separation or removal:

• “When the bridegroom is taken away [ἀπαρθῇ] from them” Matthew 9:15
• “And the cloud was taken up [ἀπῆρεν] from the tabernacle” Numbers 9:17
• “They departed [ἀπῆραν] from Succoth” Exodus 13:20

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish wedding customs, the departure of the bridegroom was a significant moment that initiated a period of preparation for the bride. This cultural context adds depth to Jesus’s use of ἀπαίρω in Matthew 9:15, as it would have resonated deeply with His Jewish audience who understood the wedding customs and their messianic implications.

The word also carries echoes of the Exodus narrative, where God’s presence in the cloud would be “taken up” (ἀπαίρω) as a signal for Israel to break camp and move forward. This connection between divine movement and human response creates a powerful theological motif throughout Scripture.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀπαίρω in biblical contexts often points to God’s sovereign timing and purpose in separation or removal. When Jesus employs this term regarding His departure, He’s not merely stating a future fact but declaring His submission to the Father’s divine timetable and redemptive plan.

The word carries a sense of divine necessity that transcends human will or timing. This aspect is particularly evident in prophetic contexts where the removal or departure serves a greater purpose in God’s redemptive plan, emphasizing that even moments of separation are orchestrated by His wisdom and love.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀπαίρω challenges us to trust God’s timing, even in seasons of separation or loss. Just as the disciples had to learn to trust the Father’s plan when Jesus was “taken away,” we too must learn to see divine purpose in our seasons of separation or transition.

When we experience times of removal or separation in our spiritual journey, we can take comfort in knowing that these moments are not random but are part of God’s sovereign plan for our growth and His glory.

Related Words

• χωρίζω (chōrizō) – to separate, divide, depart; related but emphasizing the division aspect rather than the carrying away See G5563
• μεταίρω (metairō) – to transfer, remove; similar movement but with focus on transfer rather than separation See G3332
• ἀναλαμβάνω (analambanō) – to take up, receive up; used for ascension contexts See G353
• ἀφίστημι (aphistēmi) – to withdraw, depart; emphasizing the act of standing away See G868

Did you Know?

• The same word ἀπαίρω was used in ancient Greek maritime logs to record when ships set sail, suggesting a formal, documented departure rather than a casual leaving.
• In modern Greek, derivatives of ἀπαίρω are still used in aviation contexts for takeoffs, maintaining the original sense of “lifting away” from classical Greek.
• The compound structure of ἀπαίρω (ἀπό + αἴρω) appears in various other New Testament words, creating a family of terms that deal with different aspects of removal or separation, each with its own theological significance.

Remember This

ἀπαίρω reminds us that every departure in God’s economy serves His perfect timing and sovereign purpose, transforming our perspective on separation from loss to divine appointment.