Brief Overview of ἀποστυγέω (G655: Apostygéō)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apostygéō

Root Words: The word ἀποστυγέω combines the prefix ἀπό (apó), meaning “away from,” with στυγέω (stygéō), meaning “to hate.” Thus, the term signifies “to utterly detest” or “to loathe.”

Primary Meanings:

• To strongly dislike or detest something.
• To hold an intense aversion or hatred towards something.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀποστυγέω as “to detest or abhor,” focusing on the extreme sense of aversion or hatred it conveys. It is used in contexts where strong disapproval or hatred is emphasized.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀποστυγέω as “to abhor” or “to utterly hate,” highlighting its application in expressing intense revulsion.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary explains ἀποστυγέω as indicating “to abhor” or “to detest” with a strong sense of aversion, used in contexts where an extreme reaction of dislike or hatred is implied.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ lists ἀποστυγέω as “to detest” or “to hold in utter dislike,” consistent with BDAG’s focus on strong negative emotions.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀποστυγέω as “to hate intensely,” emphasizing its use in contexts of profound aversion or loathing.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

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Plato (Dialogues, 4th century BCE): Plato uses terms related to ἀποστυγέω to describe intense feelings of dislike or moral disapproval in philosophical contexts.

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics, 4th century BCE): Aristotle employs similar concepts to discuss extreme aversions or ethical repulsions, relevant to understanding moral judgments.

Demosthenes (Orations, 4th century BCE): Demosthenes’ speeches include terms reflecting strong aversions or detestations, illustrating the use of ἀποστυγέω in political and rhetorical contexts.

4. Summary:

ἀποστυγέω (apostygéō) means “to detest” or “to loathe,” capturing a profound sense of aversion or hatred. This term is used to express extreme disapproval and is evident in both classical and biblical contexts. Understanding ἀποστυγέω provides insight into the intensity of negative emotions and moral judgments reflected in ancient texts.