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ἐκλείπω

ekleípō

G1587 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to leave out, to fail, to cease; primarily denotes to be absent or deficient, to discontinue, or to come to an end, especially as a process of failing, running out, or perishing. In some contexts, it indicates to disappear, pass away, or die.

Semantic Range

to fail, to cease, to come to an end, to die, to be lacking, to disappear, to give out, to be omitted, to be left out

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἐκ ('out of') and the verb λείπω ('to leave, leave behind, lack'). Compound meaning emerges as 'to leave out or to cease from.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἐκλείπω is a compound verb attested in classical Greek, with the sense of 'to fail' or 'to give out,' especially with reference to celestial bodies (e.g., the sun failing—used in eclipses, hence the English word 'eclipse'). In Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, it frequently describes something ceasing, failing, or being exhausted, including abstract concepts (like faith or hope) as well as physical things (such as one's strength or resources). The idea can range from temporary failure/absence to a permanent ceasing or perishing, and is sometimes used as a euphemism for death. English translations often render the term as 'fail,' 'cease,' or 'die,' but these do not always encompass the full nuance, particularly the potential aspect of abandoning or being left without. The range goes beyond the narrower sense of 'omit.' Related terms include λείπω ('to lack, be absent') and its other compounds, such as ἀπολείπω ('to leave behind').

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐκ and λείπω; to omit, i.e. (by implication) cease (die):--fail.

Root Family

ἐκλείπω (ekleipō) — to leave, to be lacking, to cease, to fail

Root λειπ- to leave, to be lacking, to abandon

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1587-03 ἐκλίπῃ eklipe V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG fail may cease it ceases 2
G1587-01 ἐκλειπόντος ekleipontos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG failing of having ceased having failed 1
G1587-02 ἐκλείψουσιν ekleipsousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL fail they will cease they will cease 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1587-03 Luke 16:9 ἐκλίπῃ eklipe V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG it fails may cease it ceases
G1587-03 Luke 22:32 ἐκλίπῃ eklipe V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG fail may cease may cease
G1587-01 Luke 23:45 ἐκλειπόντος ekleipontos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG failing of having ceased having failed
G1587-02 Hebrews 1:12 ἐκλείψουσιν ekleipsousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL fail they will cease they will cease
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