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χωρίς

chōrís

G5565 preposition

SILEX Entry

Definition

An adverb and preposition meaning 'apart,' 'separately,' 'without,' or 'independently of.' Its core meaning is separation in space, association, or condition. It is used both to indicate spatial separation ('apart from,' 'at a distance') and more abstract separations such as the absence or exclusion of a person, group, or thing ('without,' 'independent of,' 'excluding'). In prepositional use, takes the genitive case.

Semantic Range

apart, separately, apart from, without, independently of, by itself, distinct from, excluding

Root / Etymology

From the noun χώρα (area, region, space) plus suffix -ις, forming an adverb/adverbial preposition. The root χώρ- is linked to spatial extension or division. Related to verbs meaning 'to make room' or 'divide.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, χωρίς retains the primary sense of spatial or categorical separation. It is widely attested from the classical period, including authors such as Herodotus and Plato, for both physical distance ('apart from the others') and abstract separation. In Koine Greek (LXX and NT), its use as a preposition meaning 'without' or 'apart from' becomes frequent, including in theological and legal contexts (e.g., χωρὶς νόμου, 'apart from [the] law'; χωρὶς αὐτοῦ, 'without him'). It is often translated by 'without,' 'apart from,' or 'separately,' but may also carry a connotation of independence or distinction. English Bible translations often use 'without,' but the nuance of 'apart from' as a distinct or separate entity is sometimes more precise. It is distinct from ἄνευ, which more strictly indicates the absence or lack of something and may lack the spatial or categorical implication of χωρίς. The overlap is substantial in practice, but χωρίς typically retains a stronger sense of boundary or distinctness, especially in argument or legal contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

adverb from χώρα; at a space, i.e. separately or apart from (often as preposition):--beside, by itself, without.

Root Family

χωρίς (chōris) — separate, apart, divided, independent

Root χωρ- to separate, to distinguish, to divide

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5565-01 χωρὶς choris PREP GEN without apart from apart from 41

Occurrences in Scripture

41 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5565-01 Matthew 13:34 χωρὶς choris PREP GEN without apart from apart from
G5565-01 Matthew 14:21 χωρὶς choris PREP GEN besides apart from apart from
G5565-01 Matthew 15:38 χωρὶς choris PREP GEN besides apart from apart from
G5565-01 Mark 4:34 χωρὶς choris PREP GEN without apart from apart from
G5565-01 Luke 6:49 χωρὶς choris PREP GEN without apart from without
G5565-01 John 1:3 χωρὶς choris PREP GEN without apart from apart from
G5565-01 John 15:5 χωρὶς choris PREP GEN apart from apart from apart from
G5565-01 John 20:7 χωρὶς choris ADV apart apart from apart from
G5565-01 Romans 3:21 χωρὶς choris PREP GEN apart from apart from apart from
G5565-01 Romans 3:28 χωρὶς choris PREP GEN apart from apart from apart from
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