παραπίπτω
parapíptō
G3895 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to fall alongside, to go astray from a standard or position; figuratively, to deviate from established norms or allegiances, falling away from a previously held state or faith. The primary lexical meaning is physical or figurative deviation from a path, position, or state, often with a sense of transgression or abandonment.
Semantic Range
to fall beside, to go astray, to make a mistake, to sin, to deviate morally, to fall away (from a faith or allegiance), to commit apostasy
Root / Etymology
From the preposition παρά (beside, alongside) and the verb πίπτω (to fall), yielding the sense of falling or straying beside, i.e., away from a standard or path.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, παραπίπτω most often refers to physical deviation—falling beside, off course, or being mistaken. By the time of the Septuagint and the New Testament, its usage typically becomes metaphorical, indicating a falling away from a moral or religious stance. In Hebrews 6:6, the only NT occurrence, it refers to committing a decisive act of abandoning or turning away from a faith commitment after experiencing its benefits—equivalent to 'apostasy' but with the focus on the act of straying or departing from a path, more than the religious system itself. English 'apostasy' captures the contextual sense but may overstate the technicality; the Greek term embodies both figurative and literal kinds of 'falling aside.' Earlier Greek literature uses the word in various contexts of error or deviation, not strictly in matters of faith. Septuagint usage includes moral and covenantal deviation, echoing the broader sense of departure or betrayal. Not to be confused with ἀποστατέω (to revolt, rebel).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from παρά and πίπτω; to fall aside, i.e. (figuratively) to apostatize:--fall away.
Root Family
παρ-πίπτ- (parapíptō) — to fall, to fall aside, to stray
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3895-01 |
παραπεσόντας | parapesontas | V AOR ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
having fallen away | having fallen aside | having fallen aside | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3895-01 |
Hebrews 6:6 | παραπεσόντας | parapesontas | V AOR ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
having fallen away | having fallen aside | having fallen aside |