ἀποσπάω
apospáō
G645 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To draw away from a place or position, often with some degree of force or effort; to pull out or separate something or someone from its context, either physically (e.g., to unsheathe a sword) or, by extension, to cause the separation or withdrawal of persons (as in separating individuals from a group or context). The verb can express both literal and metaphorical senses of moving or pulling out with force.
Semantic Range
to draw away, to pull away with force, to unsheathe (esp. a sword), to remove forcibly, to abduct, to withdraw from companionship or association, to separate
Root / Etymology
Derived from the preposition ἀπό ('from, away from') and the verb σπάω ('to draw, pull, drag'). The compound indicates drawing or pulling away from a source or position.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἀποσπάω is found in classical Greek (earliest attested 5th c. BCE) with the meaning 'to drag away, pull off, tear away.' In Hellenistic and Koine contexts, the physical sense remains primary but can also include metaphorical applications, such as separating people from their group or context, withdrawing someone forcibly or with effort, or removing objects (e.g., unsheathing a sword). In the LXX and New Testament, it is often employed in contexts suggesting forceful or purposeful removal, sometimes with connotations of abduction or seduction from a group (Acts 20:30). The sense of 'unsheathing' is a specific instance of the more general idea of pulling or drawing away. English translations sometimes obscure the intensity or active effort implied by the verb by simply rendering it 'to depart' or 'to withdraw.' The underlying meaning revolves around the idea of separation or removal, usually by force or intention.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀπό and σπάω; to drag forth, i.e. (literally) unsheathe (a sword), or relatively (with a degree of force implied) retire (personally or factiously):--(with-)draw (away), after we were gotten from.
Root Family
ἀποσπάω (apospáō) — draw away, pull away, drag away, separate
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G645-02 |
ἀπεσπάσθη | apespasthe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
withdrew | was pulled away | was pulled away | 1 |
G645-04 |
ἀποσπασθέντας | apospasthentas | V AOR PASS PTCP ACC M PL |
having torn ourselves away | having been pulled away | having torn ourselves away | 1 |
G645-03 |
ἀποσπᾶν | apospan | V PRS ACT INF |
draw away | to draw away | to draw away | 1 |
G645-01 |
ἀπέσπασεν | apespasen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
drew | was pulling away | drew | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G645-01 |
Matthew 26:51 | ἀπέσπασεν | apespasen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
drew | was pulling away | drew |
G645-02 |
Luke 22:41 | ἀπεσπάσθη | apespasthe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
withdrew | was pulled away | was pulled away |
G645-03 |
Acts 20:30 | ἀποσπᾶν | apospan | V PRS ACT INF |
draw away | to draw away | to draw away |
G645-04 |
Acts 21:1 | ἀποσπασθέντας | apospasthentas | V AOR PASS PTCP ACC M PL |
having torn ourselves away | having been pulled away | having torn ourselves away |