ἀπουσία
apousía
G666 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State or condition of being absent; the situation in which someone or something is not present. In philosophical or rhetorical contexts, denotes the state of non-presence or being elsewhere, often in contrast to being present (παρουσία). While the core meaning is 'absence', it can carry nuances of separation, distance, or withdrawal depending on context.
Semantic Range
absence, state of being away, being not present, separation, nonappearance
Root / Etymology
From the adjective ἄπειμι (to be away, to be absent), itself from α- (negative prefix, 'not') + εἰμί (to be). The abstract noun ἀπουσία forms with the -ία suffix indicating a state or condition. Directly related to the verb ἄπειμι ('I am away/absent').
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in classical Greek literature such as Plato and Demosthenes, ἀπουσία contrasts directly with παρουσία ('presence, being present'). The term refers both to physical absence and, in some rhetorical or philosophical texts, figuratively to the absence of qualities or properties. In the Koine period, it retains this core meaning. In the New Testament (e.g., 2 Corinthians 10:10–11; Philippians 2:12), it is used to denote absence as opposed to physical presence. English translations typically render it 'absence,' which accurately reflects its core sense, though some connotations of separation or withdrawal may not be fully conveyed. No significant semantic shift is observed from classical through Koine usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the participle of ἄπειμι; a being away:--absence.
Root Family
ἀπ-ειμ- (apousía) — to be away, to be absent
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G666-01 |
ἀπουσίᾳ | apousia | N DAT F SG |
absence | in absence | absence | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G666-01 |
Philippians 2:12 | ἀπουσίᾳ | apousia | N DAT F SG |
absence | in absence | absence |