Understanding ἀποτάσσω (apotassō) Strong’s G657: The Profound Act of Bidding Farewell and Setting Aside for Divine Purpose

Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-TASS-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G657: ἀποτάσσω (apotassō) fundamentally means to set apart, separate oneself, or take leave of someone or something. In its middle voice form, it specifically denotes the action of bidding farewell or formally taking leave of someone. The word carries connotations of deliberate separation and orderly arrangement, suggesting a purposeful reordering of priorities or relationships.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀπό (away from) and τάσσω (to arrange, set in order)
• Primary usage in narrative contexts and epistolary literature
• Middle voice emphasizes personal involvement in the action
• Appears in both literal (physical departure) and metaphorical (renunciation) contexts

ἀποτάσσω Morphology:

• ἀποτάσσω (present active indicative) – I bid farewell, set apart
• ἀποτάξασθαι (aorist middle infinitive) – to take leave of
• ἀποταξάμενος (aorist middle participle) – having bid farewell
• ἀπετάξατο (aorist middle indicative) – he/she bid farewell

Origin & History

The word ἀποτάσσω emerged from classical Greek military contexts where it described the systematic arrangement of troops or the dispatching of soldiers to specific posts. Xenophon uses it in his “Anabasis” to describe military arrangements, while Polybius employs it in discussing tactical deployments.

In the Septuagint, though rare, it appears in contexts of formal separation or departure. The transition to Koine Greek saw the word develop a more personal meaning, particularly in its middle voice form, emphasizing the act of taking formal leave or renouncing previous commitments.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Formal separation or departure from persons or things
• Systematic arrangement or ordering
• Renunciation or letting go
• Assignment to a specific purpose or position

ἀποτάσσω Translation Options:

• “to bid farewell” – Most appropriate when describing personal leave-taking
• “to take leave of” – Emphasizes the formal nature of the departure
• “to renounce” – Best suits contexts of permanent separation
• “to set apart” – Useful in contexts of purposeful arrangement
• “to say goodbye to” – More colloquial but captures the personal aspect

Biblical Usage

The first appearance of ἀποτάσσω in Mark 6:46 shows the Messiah bidding farewell to His disciples before going to pray. This usage establishes a pattern where the word often carries spiritual significance beyond mere physical departure.

Throughout the New Testament, ἀποτάσσω appears in pivotal moments of discipleship and spiritual commitment. Its usage often marks significant transitions in the lives of believers or in the narrative of the early church.

• Mark 6:46 – “After bidding them farewell [ἀποτάξαμενος], He departed to the mountain to pray”
• Luke 9:61 – “Let me first go and bid farewell [ἀποτάξασθαι] to those at my home”
• Luke 14:33 – “Cannot be My disciple unless he renounces [ἀποτάσσεται] all his possessions”
• Acts 18:18 – “Paul, having taken leave [ἀποταξάμενος] of the brethren”
• 2 Corinthians 2:13 – “Taking leave [ἀποταξάμενος] of them, I went on to Macedonia”

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near East, the act of bidding farewell was highly ceremonial and carried significant social and spiritual weight. The formal nature of ἀποτάσσω reflects this cultural emphasis on proper farewells, which often included blessings, prayers, and sometimes symbolic actions.

The word’s military origins add depth to its usage in spiritual contexts, suggesting that following the Messiah requires the same level of decisive commitment and orderly arrangement as military service. This military connection would have resonated strongly with first-century readers familiar with Roman military culture.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀποτάσσω in discipleship contexts reveals profound theological truths about the nature of following the Messiah. When He calls us to “renounce all” (Luke 14:33), the word choice suggests not just abandonment but a deliberate reordering of life’s priorities in accordance with divine purpose.

The middle voice usage predominant in the New Testament emphasizes personal involvement in the act of separation, suggesting that true discipleship requires active, conscious decision-making rather than passive acceptance. This grammatical feature underscores the theological truth that following the Messiah is both a divine calling and a human choice.

Personal Application

Reflecting on ἀποτάσσω challenges us to examine what we need to “bid farewell to” in order to follow the Messiah more fully. The word reminds us that Christian discipleship often requires deliberate separation from previous priorities, relationships, or practices that hinder our spiritual growth.

Just as the word implies both separation and arrangement, we’re called to not only leave behind what doesn’t serve our spiritual purpose but also to deliberately arrange our lives according to God’s priorities. This dual aspect of separation and reordering provides a practical framework for spiritual transformation.

Related Words

• συντάσσω (syntassō) – to arrange together, coordinate – Similar root but emphasizes joining rather than separating. See G4929
• ἀφίημι (aphiēmi) – to leave, forsake – Shares the concept of leaving but lacks the formal, orderly connotation. See G863
• χωρίζω (chōrizō) – to separate, divide – More general term for separation without the specific farewell context. See G5563
• τάσσω (tassō) – to arrange, appoint – The root word focusing on arrangement without the aspect of separation. See G5021

Did you Know?

• The military origin of ἀποτάσσω meant that early Christians would have understood discipleship in terms of being “deployed” for God’s purposes, much like a soldier being assigned to a specific post.
• The formal nature of the farewell implied by ἀποτάσσω in ancient culture often included specific rituals and ceremonies, making it more significant than our modern casual “goodbye.”
• The word continues to influence Modern Greek, where αποτάσσομαι (apotassomai) is still used for formal renunciations, particularly in religious contexts such as baptismal ceremonies.

Remember This

ἀποτάσσω embodies the transformative journey of discipleship – a deliberate farewell to the old life that simultaneously marks the beginning of a new, divinely ordered purpose.