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ἀποτάσσομαι

apotássomai

G657 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

Middle voice verb: to take leave of someone, to say farewell or good-bye; by extension, to depart formally or to separate oneself from a person, group, or commitment, often with an implication of deliberate decision or renunciation. The term can also carry the sense of dismissing or releasing someone.

Semantic Range

to say farewell, to take leave of, to dismiss (oneself), to renounce association with, to part from, to sever ties, to release or let go

Root / Etymology

Formed from the preposition ἀπό (from, away from) and the verb τάσσω (to arrange, to set in order), with the addition of the middle/passive personal endings, thus literally, 'to place oneself away from,' which developed the meanings associated with departure and formal separation. Not derived from a Hebrew or Aramaic equivalent, but follows Greek compositional patterns.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἀποτάσσομαι is used both in literal senses (to say farewell, to take leave in person) and in more figurative or extended senses (to renounce association, to part ways more definitively). In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 9:61, Acts 18:18), its nuance often reflects a polite or formal taking of leave rather than mere casual parting, sometimes implying obligations or relational bonds. The term may also suggest the deliberate severing of social, familial, or communal ties, emphasizing the intentionality of the farewell. Standard English translations such as 'bid farewell' or 'take leave' may not capture the potential gravity or deliberateness of the action. The middle voice highlights the subject's personal involvement in the act of parting.

Translation Consistency

primary "leave" 4 occurrences

'Leave' is the most natural, versatile English verb that covers the primary senses in the SILEX range—take leave of/say farewell, depart, separate from or renounce association, and release/dismiss. It reads naturally in everyday and narrative contexts and can be inflected consistently for the various forms of G657.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"say farewell" (1x) "forsakes" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

middle voice from ἀπό and τάσσω; literally, to say adieu (by departing or dismissing); figuratively, to renounce:--bid farewell, forsake, take leave, send away.

Root Family

τάσσ- (apotássomai) — to arrange, to set, to place, to order (with ἀπό: to arrange away, to separate oneself, to take leave)

Root τάσσ- to arrange, to set, to place, to order (with ἀπό: to arrange away, to separate oneself, to take leave)

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G657-02 ἀποταξάμενος apotaxamenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG having taken leave having separated himself from having taken leave of 4
G657-01 ἀποτάσσεται apotassetai V PRS MID IND 3P SG forsake is taking leave of forsakes 1
G657-03 ἀποτάξασθαι apotaxasthai V AOR MID INF to say goodbye to take leave of to say farewell 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G657-02 Mark 6:46 ἀποταξάμενος apotaxamenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG having taken leave having separated himself from having taken leave of
G657-03 Luke 9:61 ἀποτάξασθαι apotaxasthai V AOR MID INF to say goodbye to take leave of to say farewell
G657-01 Luke 14:33 ἀποτάσσεται apotassetai V PRS MID IND 3P SG forsake is taking leave of forsakes
G657-02 Acts 18:18 ἀποταξάμενος apotaxamenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG having taken leave having separated himself from having taken leave of
G657-02 Acts 18:21 ἀποταξάμενος apotaxamenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG taking leave having separated himself from having taken leave of
G657-02 2 Corinthians 2:13 ἀποταξάμενος apotaxamenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG taking leave having separated himself from having taken leave of
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