Understanding ἀποπλέω (apopleo) Strong’s G636: The Ancient Maritime Word that Charts God’s Sovereign Direction in Acts

Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-PLEH-oh (ἀποπλέω)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G636: A maritime term meaning “to sail away” or “to set sail from.” This compound verb combines the preposition ἀπό (from, away from) with πλέω (to sail), creating a precise term for departing by sea. The word emphasizes both the point of departure and the action of setting out on a maritime journey.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: ἀπό (from) + πλέω (to sail)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Historical narrative, particularly in Acts
• Voice: Active
• Tense: Present, Aorist

ἀποπλέω Morphology:

• ἀποπλέω (present active indicative) – I sail away
• ἀπέπλευσα (aorist active indicative) – I sailed away
• ἀποπλεῖν (present active infinitive) – to sail away
• ἀποπλέοντες (present active participle) – sailing away

Origin & History

The term ἀποπλέω has a rich history in classical Greek maritime literature. Thucydides frequently employed it in his “History of the Peloponnesian War” when describing naval departures and military expeditions. Xenophon also used it extensively in his “Anabasis” to describe the Greek army’s return journey by sea.

In the Septuagint, though maritime terminology is less common, the word appears in passages describing Solomon’s naval ventures (3 Kingdoms/1 Kings) and in prophetic literature discussing Mediterranean trade routes. The word maintained its precise nautical meaning throughout its usage in classical and biblical literature.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To depart by sea from a specific location
• To set sail on a journey
• To launch out into deep waters from shore

ἀποπλέω Translation Options:

• “Set sail from” – Emphasizes the point of departure
• “Sailed away” – Captures the movement away from a location
• “Put out to sea” – Emphasizes the transition from harbor to open water
• “Embarked” – More general term that can work in some contexts but loses the specific maritime flavor

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀποπλέω appears exclusively in the book of Acts, where Luke uses it to detail the missionary journeys of Paul and his companions. Its first appearance in Acts 13:4 marks the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey, setting a pattern for how God would direct the spread of the Gospel through maritime travel.

The word’s usage in Acts demonstrates Luke’s precision as a historian and his attention to nautical details. Each instance of ἀποπλέω marks a significant transition in the narrative, often indicating divine direction through maritime ventures.

• “So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they sailed away [ἀποπλέω] to Cyprus” Acts 13:4
• “And after setting sail [ἀποπλέω] from Paphos” Acts 13:13
• “And from there they sailed [ἀποπλέω] to Antioch” Acts 14:26
• “And from there we set sail [ἀποπλέω] to Philippi” Acts 16:11
• “Paul had decided to sail past [ἀποπλέω] Ephesus” Acts 20:16

Cultural Insights

Maritime travel in the first century was both dangerous and strategic. Ships were the highways of the ancient world, connecting major cities and facilitating trade and communication. The Mediterranean sailing season was limited to specific months (typically March to November), making the timing of departures crucial. When Luke uses ἀποπλέω, he’s often indicating not just a departure but a carefully planned expedition within these seasonal windows.

The term would have resonated particularly with Greek readers familiar with great sea voyages in their literature, such as Homer’s Odyssey. In Acts, these sailing departures often mark the beginning of new chapters in the expansion of the early Messianic community, showing how God used established maritime routes to spread His message.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀποπλέω in Acts reveals God’s sovereignty in directing the spread of the Gospel. Each sailing departure represents not merely a physical journey but a divinely orchestrated movement of the Gospel message. The first usage in Acts 13:4 explicitly connects the sailing with being “sent out by the Holy Spirit,” establishing a pattern where maritime departures serve God’s purposes.

These sailings demonstrate how the Messiah’s commission to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) was practically accomplished through the ordinary means of ancient transportation. The precision of ἀποπλέω in marking these departures highlights God’s detailed oversight of the Gospel’s geographic expansion.

Personal Application

When we encounter ἀποπλέω in Scripture, we’re reminded that God often moves us forward through ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Just as Paul’s missionary journeys began with simple acts of “sailing away,” our own spiritual journeys and ministries often begin with simple steps of obedience.

The word challenges us to consider our own “departure points” – those moments when God calls us to leave familiar shores for new territories of faith and service. It reminds us that every new beginning, every departure from our comfort zone, can be part of God’s larger plan for spreading His kingdom.

Related Words

• πλέω (pleo) – to sail, navigate – The base word emphasizing the action of sailing without the specific sense of departure See G4126
• ἐκπλέω (ekpleo) – to sail out or away – Similar to ἀποπλέω but emphasizing the exit from a specific point See G1602
• διαπλέω (diapleo) – to sail through or across – Emphasizing the journey across waters See G1277
• καταπλέω (katapleo) – to sail down or land – The opposite of ἀποπλέω, indicating arrival See G2718

Did you Know?

• The word ἀποπλέω is still used in modern Greek to describe ships departing from port, maintaining its ancient meaning across millennia of maritime history.
• Ancient Mediterranean sailors would often perform religious rituals before “sailing away” (ἀποπλέω), recognizing the dangers of sea travel. In Acts, we see these departures instead sanctified by prayer and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
• Luke’s use of precise nautical terms like ἀποπλέω has helped scholars reconstruct ancient Mediterranean shipping routes and validate the historical accuracy of Acts.

Remember This

ἀποπλέω marks not just maritime departures, but divine departures – moments when God’s people set sail in faith, carried by His Spirit to accomplish His purposes.