ἀποκυλίω (G617) — Greek Lexicon

ἀποκυλίω

apokylíō

G617 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To roll away, to move (an object) by rolling it from its place of rest; refers specifically to the removal of a stone or another rounded barrier by rolling it aside. In the New Testament, often used for the act of rolling away a large stone placed at the entrance of a tomb. Also, more generally, to cause something (typically round) to be moved from a position by a rolling action.

Semantic Range

to roll away, to roll back, to remove by rolling, to move aside by rolling, to cause to depart by rolling

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἀπό ('away from') and the verb κυλίω ('to roll'), thus, 'to roll away.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, κουλίω and its compounds refer generically to rolling actions, often of wheels, stones, or other cylindrical objects. The compound ἀποκυλίω appears primarily in Hellenistic and Koine sources—most notably the New Testament and the Septuagint—where it acquires a more specific usage connected to moving stones away from tomb entrances (e.g., Mark 16:3-4, Luke 24:2). This action was culturally significant, as tombs were commonly sealed by large round stones. English translations typically render with 'roll away,' which closely captures the physical sense but can obscure the cultural context and the importance of tomb ceremonies. In contrast, the simple verb κυλίω means 'to roll,' while ἀποκυλίω specifically marks the directionality—'away from.' The usage is functional and physical, without metaphoric extension in extant sources.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀπό and κυλιόω; to roll away:--roll away (back).

Root Family

ἀποκυλίω (apokyliō) — to roll, to roll away, to move by rolling, to remove by rolling

Root κυλ- to roll, to move by rolling, to turn

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G617-02`	ἀποκεκυλισμένον	apokekulismenon	`V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	rolled away	having been rolled away	having been rolled away	1
`G617-04`	ἀποκυλίσει	apokulisei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will roll away	he/she/it will roll away	will roll away	1
`G617-01`	ἀπεκύλισε	apekulise	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	rolled back	rolled away	rolled away	1
`G617-03`	ἀποκεκύλισται	apokekulistai	`V PRF PASS IND 3P SG`	had been rolled away	has been rolled away	has been rolled away	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G617-01`	Matthew 28:2	ἀπεκύλισε	apekulise	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	rolled back	rolled away	rolled away
`G617-04`	Mark 16:3	ἀποκυλίσει	apokulisei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will roll away	he/she/it will roll away	will roll away
`G617-03`	Mark 16:4	ἀποκεκύλισται	apokekulistai	`V PRF PASS IND 3P SG`	had been rolled away	has been rolled away	has been rolled away
`G617-02`	Luke 24:2	ἀποκεκυλισμένον	apokekulismenon	`V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	rolled away	having been rolled away	having been rolled away

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