ἐξαλείφω
exaleíphō
G1813 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To wipe out or erase by rubbing or washing away; used of removing physical marks, stains, or traces, and metaphorically of canceling, obliterating, or causing to cease (such as erasing records, debts, or offenses). The term includes both literal acts of cleaning or wiping and figurative senses such as forgiving or annulling something so that it no longer has effect.
Semantic Range
to physically wipe or rub out, to erase written or painted marks, to obliterate or efface records or names, to annul or cancel guilt or debt, to forgive or pardon by causing to cease, to remove (tears or sorrow), to make disappear entirely
Root / Etymology
From the preposition ἐκ (out of, from) and ἀλείφω (to smear, anoint), literally 'to smear out' or 'wipe away.' The compound indicates the act of completely removing by wiping.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐξαλείφω is used for the physical act of erasing written markings—such as removing writing from a wax tablet or washing inscriptions from surfaces. In the Septuagint, it is frequently used of removing, erasing, or cleansing—such as 'blotting out' names, sins, or even people from memory or records (cf. Exodus 32:32-33; Psalm 50[51]:1,11). In the New Testament (e.g., Acts 3:19; Colossians 2:14; Revelation 7:17, 21:4), the word often carries a metaphorical meaning: the cancellation or removal of offenses, debts, or tears by divine action. It translates Hebrew מָחָה (machah, to wipe out, efface) in the Septuagint. English translation tradition variably renders it as 'blot out,' 'wipe away,' or 'erase,' but may not fully capture the physical sense of removal implied by the Greek or its wider metaphorical usage. Related terms include ἀλείφω (to anoint), ἐξαλείψεις (smearings or effacements), and διαγράφω (to write off).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκ and ἀλείφω; to smear out, i.e. obliterate (erase tears, figuratively, pardon sin):--blot out, wipe away.
Root Family
ἐξαλείφω (exaleiphō) — to wipe out, to smear away, to erase
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1813-03 |
ἐξαλείψει | exaleipsei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
he will wipe away | he will wipe away | 2 |
G1813-02 |
ἐξαλείψας | exaleipsas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having blotted out | having wiped out | 1 |
G1813-01 |
ἐξαλειφθῆναι | exaleiphthenai | V AOR PASS INF |
blotting out | to be wiped out | 1 |
G1813-04 |
ἐξαλείψω | exaleipso | V FUT ACT IND 1P SG |
I will wipe out | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1813-01 |
Acts 3:19 | ἐξαλειφθῆναι | exaleiphthenai | V AOR PASS INF |
blotting out | to be wiped out |
G1813-02 |
Colossians 2:14 | ἐξαλείψας | exaleipsas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having blotted out | having wiped out |
G1813-04 |
Revelation 3:5 | ἐξαλείψω | exaleipso | V FUT ACT IND 1P SG |
I will wipe out | |
G1813-03 |
Revelation 7:17 | ἐξαλείψει | exaleipsei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
he will wipe away | |
G1813-03 |
Revelation 21:4 | ἐξαλείψει | exaleipsei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
he will wipe away | he will wipe away |