ἀφαιρέω
aphairéō
G851 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To take away, remove, or deprive of something; in literal usage, to physically remove or cut off, and in figurative or legal contexts, to deprive, take away, or abolish a right, position, or resource. In various contexts, it can indicate removing an object, person, or status, either by physical means (as in cutting off) or by abstract loss.
Semantic Range
to remove, to take away, to cut off, to deprive, to abolish, to dispossess, to lose, to separate
Root / Etymology
From the preposition ἀπό (from, away from) and αἱρέω (to take, to seize). The compound verb indicates the idea of taking away or removing from a place or possession.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀφαιρέω is attested with the sense of physically removing or taking away, as well as depriving someone of property or status. In the Hellenistic and later Koine periods, its usage continues in both legal and everyday contexts, including references to cutting off (parts of a body, inheritance, hope), displacement, or loss. In the Septuagint, ἀφαιρέω frequently translates Hebrew verbs denoting removal, deprivation, or cutting off, reflecting both ritual and disciplinary contexts. In the New Testament, ἀφαιρέω is used for literal removal (e.g., body parts, rights, opportunities) and for abstract or figurative loss (e.g., sins being taken away, advantages lost). Standard English translations such as "take away," "remove," or "cut off" may sometimes obscure the full range, particularly the sense of formal deprivation or legal dispossession implicit in some contexts. Distinction should be made from simple verbs like λαμβάνω (to take), as ἀφαιρέω always carries the nuance of separation or loss from an original state or possessor.
Translation Consistency
Aphairéō most commonly means to take away or deprive by physically or figuratively removing something. “Remove” is a natural, single-word English verb that covers both literal cutting-off/seizing and legal or figurative depriving/abolishing, so it provides consistent, clear renderings across the word’s semantic range.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀπό and αἱρέομαι; to remove (literally or figuratively):--cut (smite) off, take away.
Root Family
ἀφαιρέω (aphairéō) — to take, to seize, to remove
Word Forms
8 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G851-04 |
ἀφεῖλεν | apheilen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
cut off | he removed | he removed | 3 |
G851-03 |
ἀφαιρεθήσεται | aphairethesetai | V FUT PASS IND 3P SG |
will be taken away | will be removed | will be removed | 1 |
G851-06 |
ἀφελεῖ | aphelei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will take away | will remove | will take away | 1 |
G851-08 |
ἀφέλωμαι | aphelomai | V AOR MID SUBJ 1P SG |
I take away | I might remove for myself | I might remove for myself | 1 |
G851-07 |
ἀφελεῖν | aphelein | V AOR ACT INF |
to take away | to remove | to remove | 1 |
G851-02 |
ἀφαιρεῖται | aphaireitai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
is taking away | is removing for himself | is taking away | 1 |
G851-01 |
ἀφαιρεῖν | aphairein | V PRS ACT INF |
to take away | to take away | to take away | 1 |
G851-05 |
ἀφέλῃ | aphele | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
takes away | may take away | may take away | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G851-04 |
Matthew 26:51 | ἀφεῖλεν | apheilen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
cut off | he removed | he removed |
G851-04 |
Mark 14:47 | ἀφεῖλεν | apheilen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
cut off | he removed | he removed |
G851-07 |
Luke 1:25 | ἀφελεῖν | aphelein | V AOR ACT INF |
to take away | to remove | to remove |
G851-03 |
Luke 10:42 | ἀφαιρεθήσεται | aphairethesetai | V FUT PASS IND 3P SG |
will be taken away | will be removed | will be removed |
G851-02 |
Luke 16:3 | ἀφαιρεῖται | aphaireitai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
is taking away | is removing for himself | is taking away |
G851-04 |
Luke 22:50 | ἀφεῖλεν | apheilen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
cut off | he removed | he cut off |
G851-08 |
Romans 11:27 | ἀφέλωμαι | aphelomai | V AOR MID SUBJ 1P SG |
I take away | I might remove for myself | I might remove for myself |
G851-01 |
Hebrews 10:4 | ἀφαιρεῖν | aphairein | V PRS ACT INF |
to take away | to take away | to take away |
G851-05 |
Revelation 22:19 | ἀφέλῃ | aphele | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
takes away | may take away | may take away |
G851-06 |
Revelation 22:19 | ἀφελεῖ | aphelei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will take away | will remove | will take away |