ἐκπλέω
ekpléō
G1602 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To set sail, to depart by ship. Primarily refers to the act of leaving a port or harbor by vessel, often implying the departure from a specific location by sea. Can be used for the commencement of a sea voyage, especially from one's point of origin toward another destination.
Semantic Range
to set sail, to depart by ship, to sail away, to commence a voyage by sea, to leave a port by boat
Root / Etymology
Compound verb from the preposition ἐκ ('out of, from') and the verb πλέω ('to sail, to navigate by ship').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the classical period and throughout Hellenistic Greek, ἐκπλέω is used to describe the deliberate action of sailing out from a port or coastline. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term keeps this nautical focus, often marking departures in narrative travel or missionary journeys. While modern English versions often translate ἐκπλέω simply as 'set sail' or 'depart by ship,' the Greek emphasizes the motion 'out from' or 'away from' a place, with the prefix ἐκ highlighting the point of departure. Compared to the simple πλέω ('to sail'), ἐκπλέω is more specific about originating at a particular location and commencing a journey. There is no significant connotation change between the LXX and NT usage; it consistently denotes the literal act of sailing out. Other related terms include ἀναχέω ('put out to sea') and καταπλέω ('sail in, arrive by ship'), which highlight different directions of maritime movement.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκ and πλέω; to depart by ship:--sail (away, thence).
Root Family
ἐκπλέω (ekpleō) — to sail, to move by ship, to navigate, to depart by sea
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1602-02 |
ἐξέπλει | exeplei | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
sailed | was sailing out | set sail | 1 |
G1602-01 |
ἐκπλεῦσαι | ekpleusai | V AOR ACT INF |
sailed away | to set sail | to set sail | 1 |
G1602-03 |
ἐξεπλεύσαμεν | exepleusamen | V AOR ACT IND 1P PL |
sailed away | we set sail | we set sail | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1602-01 |
Acts 15:39 | ἐκπλεῦσαι | ekpleusai | V AOR ACT INF |
sailed away | to set sail | to set sail |
G1602-02 |
Acts 18:18 | ἐξέπλει | exeplei | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
sailed | was sailing out | set sail |
G1602-03 |
Acts 20:6 | ἐξεπλεύσαμεν | exepleusamen | V AOR ACT IND 1P PL |
sailed away | we set sail | we set sail |