ἀποστεγάζω
apostegázō
G648 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To remove a roof, to unroof; specifically, to take off or open up the covering of a house or building. The term refers concretely to the physical act of removing roofing material, usually exposing the interior to facilitate access. In extended or figurative uses, it may denote making something openly visible by removing what conceals it.
Semantic Range
to remove the roof, to unroof, to uncover by taking off the covering, to make accessible by removing the top
Root / Etymology
From ἀπό (away from, off) and a verbal derivative of στέγη (roof, covering). The form ἀποστεγάζω is a compound verb meaning literally 'to take away the roof.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb ἀποστεγάζω is rare and primarily attested in Koine Greek, notably in the New Testament (e.g., Mark 2:4) to describe the act of physically removing the roof to lower a paralytic into a house where Jesus was teaching. It is not common in earlier classical Greek, where related verbs or phrases describe similar actions more generally (e.g., διαιρέω or καθαιρέω for removing or tearing down). In New Testament and contemporary Koine sources, the verb is highly specific and concrete in its usage. English translations typically render it as 'uncover' or 'remove the roof,' adequately capturing the physical sense, but may miss the implication of determined, possibly urgent action inherent in the context. There is no strong evidence for a metaphorical or figurative sense in surviving literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀπό and a derivative of στέγη; to unroof:--uncover.
Root Family
ἀποστεγάζω (apostegazō) — to cover, to roof; to remove a roof, to uncover
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G648-01 |
ἀπεστέγασαν | apestegasan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
they removed | they unroofed | they unroofed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G648-01 |
Mark 2:4 | ἀπεστέγασαν | apestegasan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
they removed | they unroofed | they unroofed |