ἀφορίζω
aphorízō
G873 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To mark off by a boundary, to separate, to set apart or designate for a purpose. The term primarily denotes the act of defining limits, whether physical, social, or conceptual. In figurative contexts, it can also mean to appoint or assign someone to a specific role or status, or to exclude from a group or activity.
Semantic Range
to mark off by boundary, to set apart, to designate for a purpose, to assign or appoint, to exclude, to sever, to divide
Root / Etymology
From ἀπό ('from, away from') and ὁρίζω ('to define, determine, set boundaries'). The compound thus literally means 'to mark off from' or 'to set apart from by boundaries.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek and earlier Hellenistic usage, ἀφορίζω is used for physically demarcating land or boundaries. In later Greek, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament contexts, the term often takes on a more abstract or figurative nuance—designating individuals or groups as distinct, set apart, or assigned for a particular function (see Acts 13:2 for 'set apart for a task'). In some contexts, especially in religious or legal vocabulary, it also denotes exclusion from a group, akin to excommunication. Standard English translation traditions usually render this verb as 'separate' or 'set apart,' but sometimes fail to convey nuances of appointment or formal designation. Contrasted with διαχωρίζω which may imply a more basic physical separation, ἀφορίζω can have formal, institutional, or legal implications.
Translation Consistency
“Separate” is a natural, single-word verb that covers the primary senses in the SILEX entry: marking off by boundary, setting apart, dividing, and excluding. It also fits the frequent figurative use of assigning or designating someone or something as apart for a purpose, while remaining idiomatic across contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀπό and ὁρίζω; to set off by boundary, i.e. (figuratively) limit, exclude, appoint, etc.:--divide, separate, sever.
Root Family
ἀφορίζω (aphorizō) — to define, to separate, to set a boundary
Word Forms
10 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G873-04 |
ἀφορίσατε | aphorisate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
Set apart | Set apart | Set apart | 1 |
G873-01 |
ἀφοριεῖ | aphoriei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
he will separate | he/she/it will set apart | he will set apart | 1 |
G873-05 |
ἀφώρισεν | aphorisen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
separated | he marked off | he separated | 1 |
G873-02 |
ἀφοριοῦσιν | aphoriousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
separate | they will mark off | they will mark off | 1 |
G873-08 |
ἀφορίσθητε | aphoristhete | V AOR PASS IMP 2P PL |
be separate | Be set apart | be set apart | 1 |
G873-07 |
ἀφορίσωσιν | aphorisosin | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL |
they separate | that they mark off | they might separate | 1 |
G873-09 |
ἀφορίζει | aphorizei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
separates | he sets apart | sets apart | 1 |
G873-03 |
ἀφορίσας | aphorisas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having set apart | having marked off | having marked off | 1 |
G873-10 |
ἀφώριζεν | aphorizen | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
separated | was setting apart | was setting apart | 1 |
G873-06 |
ἀφωρισμένος | aphorismenos | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
set apart | having been set apart | having been set apart | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G873-02 |
Matthew 13:49 | ἀφοριοῦσιν | aphoriousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
separate | they will mark off | they will mark off |
G873-01 |
Matthew 25:32 | ἀφοριεῖ | aphoriei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
he will separate | he/she/it will set apart | he will set apart |
G873-09 |
Matthew 25:32 | ἀφορίζει | aphorizei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
separates | he sets apart | sets apart |
G873-07 |
Luke 6:22 | ἀφορίσωσιν | aphorisosin | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL |
they separate | that they mark off | they might separate |
G873-04 |
Acts 13:2 | ἀφορίσατε | aphorisate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
Set apart | Set apart | Set apart |
G873-05 |
Acts 19:9 | ἀφώρισεν | aphorisen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
separated | he marked off | he separated |
G873-06 |
Romans 1:1 | ἀφωρισμένος | aphorismenos | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
set apart | having been set apart | having been set apart |
G873-08 |
2 Corinthians 6:17 | ἀφορίσθητε | aphoristhete | V AOR PASS IMP 2P PL |
be separate | Be set apart | be set apart |
G873-03 |
Galatians 1:15 | ἀφορίσας | aphorisas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having set apart | having marked off | having marked off |
G873-10 |
Galatians 2:12 | ἀφώριζεν | aphorizen | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
separated | was setting apart | was setting apart |