ἐκτινάσσω (G1621) — Greek Lexicon

ἐκτινάσσω

ektinássō

G1621 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To shake out, to cause to fall off or expel by forceful shaking; primary meaning is to vigorously remove something (such as dust, clothing, or another object adhered to a surface) by a deliberate, energetic movement. Used especially of shaking dust from one's feet or garments as an emphatic physical gesture of separation or repudiation. Less commonly, can denote the act of separating by expulsion.

Semantic Range

to shake out, to shake off (as dust or an object), to forcefully expel by shaking, to remove by vigorous movement, to perform a gesture of repudiation or separation

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἐκ ('out of, from') and τινάσσω ('to shake', 'to cause a sudden movement'). Thus, ἐκτινάσσω means 'to shake out.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Greek literature, ἐκτινάσσω appears occasionally from the classical period onward, commonly meaning to shake something out or off, as removing an object by shaking or jerking. In Koine Greek (New Testament and contemporaneous texts), it occurs primarily in contexts of ritual or symbolic action: notably, when individuals shake dust from their feet or garments upon leaving a place as a sign of disassociation or testimony against rejection (e.g., Acts 13:51). The action conveys both literal removal and symbolically underscores a break in relationship or responsibility. English translations often use 'shake off' or 'shake out,' but these may not fully communicate the gesture's emphatic or demonstrative intent in ancient contexts. There is significant overlap with τινάσσω (to shake), but ἐκτινάσσω specifically emphasizes the direction 'out from' and forcefulness. Modern usage and idioms often fail to capture the deliberate, demonstrative quality of the ancient gesture.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐκ and tinasso (to swing); to shake violently:--shake (off).

Root Family

ἐκτινάσσω (ektinassō) — to shake out, to shake off, to expel by shaking, to remove forcefully

Root τινάσσω to shake, to agitate, to expel by shaking

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1621-03`	ἐκτινάξατε	ektinaxate	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL`	shake off	Shake out!	shake out	2
`G1621-02`	ἐκτιναξάμενος	ektinaxamenos	`V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG`	having shaken out	having shaken off	having shaken off	1
`G1621-01`	ἐκτιναξάμενοι	ektinaxamenoi	`V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL`	having shaken off	having shaken off	having shaken off	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1621-03`	Matthew 10:14	ἐκτινάξατε	ektinaxate	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL`	shake off	Shake out!	Shake out
`G1621-03`	Mark 6:11	ἐκτινάξατε	ektinaxate	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL`	shake off	Shake out!	shake out
`G1621-01`	Acts 13:51	ἐκτιναξάμενοι	ektinaxamenoi	`V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL`	having shaken off	having shaken off	having shaken off
`G1621-02`	Acts 18:6	ἐκτιναξάμενος	ektinaxamenos	`V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG`	having shaken out	having shaken off	having shaken off

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