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ἀπόστολος

apóstolos

G652 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who is sent on a mission; an authorized emissary, representative, or envoy. In general contexts, refers to a person commissioned or dispatched with a specific message or task. In New Testament usage, most often denotes individuals specifically sent with delegated authority—especially those designated as primary witnesses to the activity and teachings of Jesus, but can also refer more generally to other authorized missionaries or representatives.

Semantic Range

envoy, one sent on a mission, messenger, commissioned representative, emissary, official envoy, (in later and Christian contexts) specifically a primary witness or delegate, specially appointed representative (apostle)

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἀποστέλλω (to send away, dispatch), created with the suffix -ος (-os) to form an agent noun. Related to the notion of sending with a commission or charge. No evidence for derivation from a foreign language; classical Greek origin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀπόστολος is rare, typically meaning 'envoy' or 'dispatch boat.' The term gained greater currency in Hellenistic Greek, often as one sent with a message or on a mission. In the Septuagint, it is used for one dispatched for a specific task, sometimes as a translation of Hebrew terms like שליח ('shaliach', messenger, agent). In the New Testament, ἀπόστολος most frequently refers to the Twelve designated emissaries and Paul, but also includes others (e.g., Barnabas—Acts 14:14; or in broader use for trusted representatives—see Rom 16:7; 2 Cor 8:23). The traditional English rendering as 'apostle' has acquired a technical, ecclesiastical sense that can obscure the word's broader semantic field of 'authorized representative.' Unlike πρεσβευτής (ambassador), ἀπόστολος emphasizes the commission and sending. Usage does not necessarily imply inherent spiritual authority; rather, it denotes official delegation for a purpose. Over time, especially in Christian tradition, the term acquired a narrower, more specialized sense pertaining to specific historical persons, but in first-century Greek and in the New Testament the broader meaning ('one sent on a mission') is primary.

Translation Consistency

primary "apostle" 77 occurrences

The lemma is a noun meaning ‘one sent’ and in New Testament usage most commonly denotes the designated, authorized messenger/witness. Using “apostle” is the natural, widely recognized English rendering that captures the primary semantic range (authorized emissary/primary witness). It is preferable to the participial “commissioned,” which is less natural as a base lemma and would force inconsistent forms; “apostle” provides clear, consistent rendering across all occurrences while still allowing context-specific senses (envoy, messenger) to be reflected in surrounding wording.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"commissioned envoy" (2x) "messenger" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀποστέλλω; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers):--apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

Root Family

ἀπόστολος (apostolos) — one sent, envoy, commissioned representative, emissary

Root ἀποστελ- to send away, to dispatch, to commission

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G652-03 ἀποστόλων apostolon N GEN M PL apostles of commissioned envoys of commissioned apostles 24
G652-04 ἀπόστολος apostolos N NOM M SG an apostle a commissioned envoy an apostle 18
G652-01 ἀπόστολοι apostoloi N NOM M PL apostles commissioned envoys apostles 16
G652-06 ἀποστόλους apostolous N ACC M PL apostles commissioned envoys apostles 15
G652-02 ἀποστόλοις apostolois N DAT M PL apostles to commissioned envoys to commissioned apostles 6
G652-05 ἀποστόλου apostolou N GEN M SG apostle of a commissioned envoy of a commissioned envoy 1

Occurrences in Scripture

80 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G652-03 Matthew 10:2 ἀποστόλων apostolon N GEN M PL apostles of commissioned envoys of commissioned apostles
G652-06 Mark 3:14 ἀποστόλους apostolous N ACC M PL apostles commissioned envoys apostles
G652-01 Mark 6:30 ἀπόστολοι apostoloi N NOM M PL apostles commissioned envoys apostles
G652-06 Luke 6:13 ἀποστόλους apostolous N ACC M PL apostles commissioned envoys apostles
G652-01 Luke 9:10 ἀπόστολοι apostoloi N NOM M PL apostles commissioned envoys apostles
G652-06 Luke 11:49 ἀποστόλους apostolous N ACC M PL apostles commissioned envoys apostles
G652-01 Luke 17:5 ἀπόστολοι apostoloi N NOM M PL apostles commissioned envoys apostles
G652-01 Luke 22:14 ἀπόστολοι apostoloi N NOM M PL apostles commissioned envoys apostles
G652-06 Luke 24:10 ἀποστόλους apostolous N ACC M PL apostles commissioned envoys apostles
G652-04 John 13:16 ἀπόστολος apostolos N NOM M SG apostle a commissioned envoy an apostle
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