Brief Overview of ἀποφεύγω (G668: Apopheúgō)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apopheúgō

Root Words: The term ἀποφεύγω is derived from the prefix ἀπό (apó), meaning “away from,” and the verb φεύγω (pheúgō), meaning “to flee” or “to escape.” Together, they convey the idea of fleeing or escaping from a situation.

Primary Meanings:

• To flee away from something.
• To escape or avoid a situation.
• To take flight from a danger or undesirable circumstance.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀποφεύγω as “to flee away from” or “to escape from.” It emphasizes the act of escaping or avoiding a situation, typically one that is undesirable or threatening.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀποφεύγω as “to escape,” indicating the action of fleeing or avoiding something, particularly in contexts involving danger or difficulty.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary notes that ἀποφεύγω means “to escape from” or “to flee away from,” reflecting its use in contexts where someone is avoiding or fleeing from a perilous situation.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ defines ἀποφεύγω as “to flee from” or “to escape,” used to describe the action of avoiding or escaping from something, often with a focus on evading danger.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s describes ἀποφεύγω as “to flee away,” emphasizing its meaning of escaping or avoiding a situation.

Bible Verses:

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• Acts 14:6 (NIV): “But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country.” (In this verse, ἀποφεύγω is used to describe fleeing from danger.)
• Hebrews 11:34 (NIV): “Quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.” (Here, ἀποφεύγω is used in the sense of escaping from peril.)

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

Homer (Iliad, 8th century BCE): Homer uses related terms to describe warriors fleeing from battle or escaping from dangerous situations, reflecting the concept of avoiding threats.

Herodotus (Histories, 5th century BCE): Herodotus employs similar concepts to describe individuals or groups escaping from conflict or evading capture.

Plato (Dialogues, 4th century BCE): Plato uses related terms in philosophical discussions to convey the idea of avoiding certain circumstances or situations, often in the context of ethical or moral choices.

4. Summary:

ἀποφεύγω (Apopheúgō) primarily means “to flee away from” or “to escape,” reflecting the act of avoiding or escaping from something undesirable or threatening. In both classical Greek literature and biblical texts, it conveys the idea of fleeing from danger or evading difficult situations. The term is used to describe the action of escaping threats or challenges, highlighting its application in contexts involving avoidance and flight.