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ἐκκαθαίρω

ekkathaírō

G1571 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To cleanse out completely; to purge or remove all impurities or undesirable elements from a place or group. The term emphasizes a thorough, definitive removal, not merely superficial cleaning. In extended contexts, it can refer to removing individuals from a community, or clearing away anything that defiles or contaminates.

Semantic Range

to cleanse completely, to expel impurities, to remove corrupt persons or defiling elements from a group or place, to purge out entirely

Root / Etymology

Formed from the preposition ἐκ ('out of, from') and the verb καθαίρω ('to cleanse, to purge'). The combined form intensifies the sense of cleansing, signifying a complete or thorough removal.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb ἐκκαθαίρω is rare, primarily occurring in later Hellenistic Greek, including the Septuagint and the New Testament. In classical Greek, καθαίρω already means 'to cleanse' or 'to purge,' often used for ritual or moral purification as well as physical cleaning. The prefix ἐκ- adds the sense of expulsion or thoroughness. In biblical and Koine contexts, ἐκκαθαίρω often refers to removing evildoers or corrupt elements from a group, such as a community or among Israelite tribes (e.g., LXX Numbers 19:13). In 1 Corinthians 5:7, Paul uses ἐκκαθαίρετε metaphorically for expelling an immoral person from the believing community, echoing both ritual and communal purity concerns. Standard English translations use 'purge out' or 'cleanse out,' but these can obscure the intensity and communal focus of the action implied in the Greek, which emphasizes the definitive removal of the contaminating element. The term is closely related to καθαίρω ('to cleanse, prune'), but with stronger connotation of complete elimination. The sense of 'purge' may invoke later English usages (e.g., political or institutional purging), but in Greek the primary focus remains on moral, communal, or ritual purity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐκ and καθαίρω; to cleanse thoroughly:--purge (out).

Root Family

ἐκκαθαίρω (ekkathairō) — to cleanse, to purge, to remove impurities completely

Root καθαιρ- to cleanse, to purge, to remove impurities

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1571-02 ἐκκαθάρῃ ekkathare V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG cleanses may purge out completely may purge out completely 1
G1571-01 ἐκκαθάρατε ekkatharate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Cleanse out Purge out for yourselves Purge out for yourselves 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1571-01 1 Corinthians 5:7 ἐκκαθάρατε ekkatharate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Cleanse out Purge out for yourselves Purge out for yourselves
G1571-02 2 Timothy 2:21 ἐκκαθάρῃ ekkathare V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG cleanses may purge out completely may purge out completely
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