ἀναχωρέω (G402) — Greek Lexicon

ἀναχωρέω

anachōréō

G402 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To withdraw, depart, or move away from a place or situation, often intentionally or for the purposes of seeking privacy, safety, or to avoid conflict. The core meaning involves physical movement away from a location but can also extend metaphorically to withdrawing from involvement, association, or interaction. In narrative and historical contexts, commonly connotes deliberate withdrawal, whether for strategic, personal, or precautionary reasons.

Semantic Range

to withdraw, to go away, to depart, to leave, to retreat, to turn aside, to separate oneself

Root / Etymology

From ἀνά ('up, away') and χωρέω ('to make room, to go, to move'). Forms a compound with the sense 'to go away' or 'to move out from a place.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀναχωρέω can refer to retreat from battle, a formal or tactical withdrawal, or simply leaving a place. In Hellenistic and Koine usage (including the Septuagint and New Testament), it frequently describes departing from a town or group, especially to avoid danger, persecution, or confrontation (e.g., Matthew 2:14 of Joseph taking Mary and Jesus and departing for Egypt; Matthew 4:12 of Jesus withdrawing upon hearing of John's arrest). The verb can imply intentional separation for safety, privacy, or strategic purposes. It never denotes a random departure but rather a purposeful withdrawal. Standard English translations—'depart,' 'withdraw,' 'go away'—often capture the main sense, but may fail to communicate the context of conscious but non-confrontational disengagement, which can be significant in cultural or narrative settings. Not to be confused with φεύγω, which often emphasizes flight or escape under duress. ἀναχωρέω can be neutral or strategic, not necessarily implying fear or urgency.

Translation Consistency

primary "withdraw" 1 occurrence

ἀναχωρέω most commonly carries the sense of deliberately moving away or retreating. 'Withdraw' matches the majority P2 renderings ('withdrew'), preserves the intentional/strategic nuance (vs. a neutral 'leave'), and is natural English for both literal and metaphorical uses.

Alternatives (13 occurrences):

"withdrew" (10x) "having withdrawn" (2x) "departed" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀνά and χωρέω; to retire:--depart, give place, go (turn) aside, withdraw self.

Root Family

ἀναχωρέω (anachōreō) — to withdraw, to depart, to move away

Root ἀναχωρ- to withdraw, to depart, to move away

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G402-06`	ἀνεχώρησεν	anechoresen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	withdrew	he withdrew	he withdrew	9
`G402-02`	ἀναχωρήσαντες	anachoresantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	having withdrawn	having withdrawn	having withdrawn	1
`G402-05`	ἀνεχώρησαν	anechoresan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	they departed	they withdrew	they withdrew	1
`G402-03`	ἀναχωρησάντων	anachoresanton	`V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M PL`	they had departed	of those having withdrawn	after they had departed	1
`G402-01`	ἀναχωρεῖτε	anachoreite	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	Go away	Withdraw	Withdraw	1
`G402-04`	ἀναχωρήσας	anachoresas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	withdrew	having withdrawn	having withdrawn	1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G402-05`	Matthew 2:12	ἀνεχώρησαν	anechoresan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	they departed	they withdrew	they withdrew
`G402-03`	Matthew 2:13	ἀναχωρησάντων	anachoresanton	`V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M PL`	they had departed	of those having withdrawn	after they had departed
`G402-06`	Matthew 2:14	ἀνεχώρησεν	anechoresen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	departed	he withdrew	he withdrew
`G402-06`	Matthew 2:22	ἀνεχώρησεν	anechoresen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he withdrew	he withdrew	he withdrew
`G402-06`	Matthew 4:12	ἀνεχώρησεν	anechoresen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he withdrew	he withdrew	he withdrew
`G402-01`	Matthew 9:24	ἀναχωρεῖτε	anachoreite	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	Go away	Withdraw	Withdraw
`G402-06`	Matthew 12:15	ἀνεχώρησεν	anechoresen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	withdrew	he withdrew	he withdrew
`G402-06`	Matthew 14:13	ἀνεχώρησεν	anechoresen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	withdrew	he withdrew	he withdrew
`G402-06`	Matthew 15:21	ἀνεχώρησεν	anechoresen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	withdrew	he withdrew	he withdrew
`G402-06`	Matthew 27:5	ἀνεχώρησεν	anechoresen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	departed	he withdrew	he withdrew
`G402-06`	Mark 3:7	ἀνεχώρησεν	anechoresen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	withdrew	he withdrew	he withdrew
`G402-06`	John 6:15	ἀνεχώρησεν	anechoresen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he withdrew	he withdrew	he withdrew
`G402-04`	Acts 23:19	ἀναχωρήσας	anachoresas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	withdrew	having withdrawn	having withdrawn
`G402-02`	Acts 26:31	ἀναχωρήσαντες	anachoresantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	having withdrawn	having withdrawn	having withdrawn

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