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παραῤῥυέω

pararrhyéō

G3901 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To flow past, drift away, slip away. Denotes the act of passing by as in flowing water, commonly used metaphorically to refer to something slipping away, being lost, or not being retained, especially with reference to knowledge, truth, or opportunity. In context, it often implies neglect, carelessness, or failing to pay attention, resulting in loss or failure to grasp.

Semantic Range

to flow by, to drift away, to slip away, to pass by unnoticed, to let slip, to lose (by neglect or inattention)

Root / Etymology

Derived from παρά (beside, by) and the alternate form of ῥέω (to flow), meaning 'to flow by or past.' The construction is a compound verb, conveying movement past or alongside something.

Historical & Contextual Notes

παραῤῥυέω appears rarely in Greek literature and occurs in the New Testament only at Hebrews 2:1, where it is used metaphorically of the risk that important teachings "drift away" from the audience if not attended to. The imagery is drawn from the notion of a river or current carrying something past and thus away from one's possession. While classical Greek prefers the forms ῥέω (to flow) and παρέρχομαι (to pass by), παραῤῥυέω marks a heightened sense of loss through neglect or inattention. In the LXX and Jewish Greek, this specific compound is not attested, but similar metaphors about things 'slipping away' (especially wisdom or instruction) are present. English translations often render the term as 'let slip,' 'drift away,' or 'slip away,' but these may not fully express the image of something lost for lack of careful observance. The metaphor underscores the danger of passive loss rather than active rejection.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παρά and the alternate of ῥέω; to flow by, i.e. (figuratively) carelessly pass (miss):--let slip.

Root Family

παραῤῥυέω (pararrhyeō) — to flow, to run, to stream; to flow past, to drift away

Root ῥυ- to flow, to run, to stream

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3901-01 παραρυῶμεν pararuomen V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL we drift away we might drift away we might drift away 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3901-01 Hebrews 2:1 παραρυῶμεν pararuomen V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL we drift away we might drift away we might drift away
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