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ἀποστέλλω

apostéllō

G649 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To send forth, dispatch (a person or object) with a specific purpose or commission. In most contexts, refers to sending someone on an official mission or for a particular task, often with authority or by direction of a superior. The term can be used for literal dispatching of people or messengers, as well as for sending messages or instructions, or metaphorically for appointing or commissioning.

Semantic Range

send forth, dispatch on a mission, commission, send away (with authority), send (a messenger, order, or object), set at liberty (occasionally in figurative use)

Root / Etymology

From ἀπό (from, away from) + στέλλω (to send, to dispatch). The verb is a compound that intensifies the sense of sending, implying purposeful dispatch or mission.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀποστέλλω was employed for the dispatch of envoys, messengers, or objects, emphasizing the commission and official nature of the sending. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, and particularly in the Septuagint, the term is used both for sending messengers (e.g., prophets, angels) and for God sending individuals on missions. In the New Testament, it frequently refers to God or Jesus sending individuals (including, but not limited to, the Twelve), and carries overtones of authorization and purposeful commission. Distinct from πέμπω, which can mean simply to send without the connotation of official commission. The English translation "send" or "send forth" does not always capture the missional or authoritative aspect inherent in ἀποστέλλω. The related noun ἀπόστολος (apostolos, 'envoy, delegate') is formed from this verb and denotes someone officially sent.

Translation Consistency

primary "send" 127 occurrences

'Send' is the most natural, broadly applicable English verb covering the primary sense of ἀποστέλλω — to send forth, dispatch, or commission. It accommodates literal and figurative uses (sending a person, a messenger, a message, or commissioning someone) and allows regular inflection (sends/sent/sending) for all forms. It is more common and idiomatic than the more formal 'dispatch' while still fitting the SILEX range.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"having been commissioned" (3x) "dispatch" (1x) "dispatched" (1x) "might be dispatched" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀπό and στέλλω; set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively:--put in, send (away, forth, out), set (at liberty).

Root Family

ἀποστέλλω (apostellō) — to send, to dispatch, to commission

Root στελλ- to send, to dispatch, to commission

Word Forms

33 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G649-15 ἀπέστειλεν apesteilen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he sent he dispatched he sent 38
G649-13 ἀπέστειλαν apesteilan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL sent they dispatched they sent 13
G649-30 ἀποστέλλω apostello V PRS ACT IND 1P SG send I am dispatching I am sending 8
G649-07 ἀπέσταλκέν apestalken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG has sent he/she has commissioned he/she has sent 7
G649-14 ἀπέστειλας apesteilas V AOR ACT IND 2P SG sent you dispatched you sent 7
G649-22 ἀποστείλας aposteilas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having sent having commissioned having sent 7
G649-08 ἀπεσταλμένοι apestalmenoi V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL had been sent having been commissioned having been sent 5
G649-11 ἀπέστειλα apesteila V AOR ACT IND 1P SG sent I dispatched I sent 4
G649-19 ἀποστείλαντά aposteilanta V AOR ACT PTCP ACC M SG having sent having dispatched having sent 4
G649-26 ἀποστελεῖ apostelei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG he will send he will dispatch he will send 4

Occurrences in Scripture

133 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G649-22 Matthew 2:16 ἀποστείλας aposteilas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having sent having commissioned having sent
G649-25 Matthew 8:31 ἀπόστειλον aposteilon V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG send Send forth! Send forth!
G649-15 Matthew 10:5 ἀπέστειλεν apesteilen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG sent out he dispatched he sent
G649-30 Matthew 10:16 ἀποστέλλω apostello V PRS ACT IND 1P SG send I am dispatching I am sending
G649-19 Matthew 10:40 ἀποστείλαντά aposteilanta V AOR ACT PTCP ACC M SG having sent having dispatched having sent
G649-30 Matthew 11:10 ἀποστέλλω apostello V PRS ACT IND 1P SG send I am dispatching I am sending
G649-26 Matthew 13:41 ἀποστελεῖ apostelei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will send forth he will dispatch he will send
G649-13 Matthew 14:35 ἀπέστειλαν apesteilan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they sent they dispatched they sent
G649-02 Matthew 15:24 ἀπεστάλην apestalen V AOR PASS IND 1P SG I was sent I was dispatched I was sent
G649-15 Matthew 20:2 ἀπέστειλεν apesteilen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he sent he dispatched he sent
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