ἀποβάλλω (G577) — Greek Lexicon

ἀποβάλλω

apobállō

G577 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To throw away, to cast off, to discard. In various contexts, it can mean to physically throw or hurl something away from oneself, to let go or abandon, or more figuratively, to lose or be deprived of something (e.g., hope, fruit, cargo). The core idea involves a purposeful separation from, or rejection of, an object or quality.

Semantic Range

to throw away, to cast off, to discard, to let go, to lose, to relinquish, to forfeit, to expel, to abandon

Root / Etymology

From ἀπό ('away from, off') and βάλλω ('to throw'). The term is a compound verb formed by union of a preposition and a basic verb, common in Greek for specifying direction or separation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀποβάλλω was used to denote the act of throwing away or discarding physical objects (cf. Homer, Herodotus). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, the term broadens to metaphorical uses such as 'to lose' or 'to forfeit,' as well as specific idiomatic senses (e.g., the casting off of fetters, loss of hope, or in maritime contexts casting cargo overboard). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it is used both literally (to throw something from a ship, to expel) and figuratively (to lose, to relinquish, to abandon hope). English translations often restrict it to 'cast away,' but the terminology can overlap with verbs meaning to abandon, remove, or let go, depending on the context. Notably, in Acts 27:22,43, it refers to losing something (a life), while in Josephus and contemporary writers it may also describe expulsion or discarding as a deliberate act. The word is distinct from similar compounds like ἐκβάλλω ('to throw out'), which emphasizes expulsion, whereas ἀποβάλλω focuses on separation or loss from oneself.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀπό and βάλλω; to throw off; figuratively, to lose:--cast away.

Root Family

ἀποβάλλω (apoballō) — to throw, to cast, to discard, to lose

Root ἀπο- + βαλ- to throw, to cast, to discard, to lose

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G577-02`	ἀποβαλὼν	apobalon	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	casting away	having cast off	having cast off	1
`G577-01`	ἀποβάλητε	apobalete	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL`	throw away	you might cast away	you might cast away	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G577-02`	Mark 10:50	ἀποβαλὼν	apobalon	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	casting away	having cast off	having cast off
`G577-01`	Hebrews 10:35	ἀποβάλητε	apobalete	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL`	throw away	you might cast away	you might cast away

← G576 Greek Lexicon G578 →