Brief Overview of ἀποκτείνω (G615: Apokteinō)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apokteinō

Root Words: Derived from ἀπό (apo), meaning “from” or “away from,” and κτείνω (kteinō), meaning “to kill.” Thus, ἀποκτείνω means “to kill” or “to put to death.”

Primary Meanings:

• To kill or execute someone.
• To cause death or end the life of someone.
• Often used in a literal sense, but can also be used metaphorically to indicate causing significant harm or destruction.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀποκτείνω as “to kill” or “to put to death.” It focuses on its usage in contexts involving the act of causing death, whether in a literal or figurative sense.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀποκτείνω as “to kill” or “to put to death,” emphasizing its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts of causing death.

Vines: According to Vines’ Expository Dictionary, ἀποκτείνω means “to kill” or “to slay,” with a focus on its application in causing physical death.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ defines ἀποκτείνω as “to kill” or “to put to death,” noting its usage in classical Greek to describe acts of killing or executing.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀποκτείνω as “to kill” or “to slay,” focusing on its role in causing death.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

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Homer (Iliad, 8th century BCE): Homer uses related terms to describe acts of killing in the context of battle and warfare, illustrating the concept of taking life in epic narratives.

Sophocles (Oedipus Rex, 5th century BCE): Sophocles uses similar terms to explore themes of death and killing within the dramatic and tragic contexts of his plays.

Thucydides (History of the Peloponnesian War, 5th century BCE): Thucydides employs related terms to discuss acts of execution and killing in historical and military contexts, highlighting their impact on historical events.

4. Summary:

The Greek word ἀποκτείνω (Apokteinō) means “to kill” or “to put to death.” It refers to the act of causing death, whether literally or metaphorically. In classical Greek literature, it describes acts of killing in various contexts, from epic battles to tragic plays and historical accounts. The term conveys the idea of ending life or causing significant harm, illustrating its application in different historical and literary settings.