ἀποφέρω
apophérō
G667 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To carry or bear away, typically from one place to another; to remove or take away something or someone with the implication of separation from the original location. In various contexts, it may indicate removal by force, taking something to another place (as in a corpse to burial), or leading someone or something away from a gathering or a place of origin. Also used metaphorically for taking away sins or removing burdens.
Semantic Range
to carry away, to remove, to take away, to lead away; to bear off (objects, people, or even abstract things); to transport from a location, to carry off (by force, or for burial), to remove figuratively (as of sins)
Root / Etymology
From ἀπό (apo, 'from, away from') and φέρω (pherō, 'to bear, carry'). The prefix intensifies the sense of separation or movement away from a place or person.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἀποφέρω is used for physical displacement—removing, carrying, or bringing away persons or objects. In New Testament and Septuagint usage, it often appears in narratives describing people being carried off (e.g., for burial, by force, or out of a location). The nuance may depend on context: from simply relocating something, to more pointed acts like removing a corpse or taking captives. In some contexts, particularly with nonphysical objects (like sins), the sense becomes figurative (to take away, as in forgiveness or removal of iniquity), though the action of separating or removing remains primary. English translations frequently render it as 'carry away' or 'bring away,' but sometimes as 'remove,' 'take off,' or 'lead away,' depending on the context.
Translation Consistency
“Take” is the most natural, versatile single-word choice that covers both physical removal (carry off, lead away, bear away) and figurative removal (take away sins/burdens). It reads idiomatically in a wide range of contexts and can be inflected consistently for all forms of ἀποφέρω.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀπό and φέρω; to bear off (literally or relatively):--bring, carry (away).
Root Family
ἀποφέρω (apopherō) — to bear, to carry, to bring away
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G667-04 |
ἀπήνεγκέν | apenegken | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he carried | he carried away | he took away | 2 |
G667-03 |
ἀπενεγκεῖν | apenegkein | V AOR ACT INF |
to carry | to carry away | to carry away | 1 |
G667-01 |
ἀπενεχθῆναι | apenechthenai | V AOR PASS INF |
was carried | to be carried away | to be carried away | 1 |
G667-05 |
ἀποφέρεσθαι | apopheresthai | V PRS PASS INF |
were brought | to be carried away | to be carried away | 1 |
G667-02 |
ἀπήνεγκαν | apenegkan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
led away | they carried away | they led away | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G667-02 |
Mark 15:1 | ἀπήνεγκαν | apenegkan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
led away | they carried away | they led away |
G667-01 |
Luke 16:22 | ἀπενεχθῆναι | apenechthenai | V AOR PASS INF |
was carried | to be carried away | to be carried away |
G667-05 |
Acts 19:12 | ἀποφέρεσθαι | apopheresthai | V PRS PASS INF |
were brought | to be carried away | to be carried away |
G667-03 |
1 Corinthians 16:3 | ἀπενεγκεῖν | apenegkein | V AOR ACT INF |
to carry | to carry away | to carry away |
G667-04 |
Revelation 17:3 | ἀπήνεγκέν | apenegken | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he carried me away | he carried away | he took away |
G667-04 |
Revelation 21:10 | ἀπήνεγκέν | apenegken | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he carried | he carried away | he took away |