ἀποτινάσσω
apotinássō
G660 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to shake off, to remove by a decisive or forceful movement; to cause something adhering or attached (such as dust, dirt, or a physical object) to detach by a quick movement, often with a sense of deliberate action and separation from oneself or one's environment. Can also imply figuratively the act of rejecting association or severing ties.
Semantic Range
to shake off (dust, dirt, objects); to remove decisively by shaking; to reject or sever association (figurative); to indicate repudiation or dissociation by gesture
Root / Etymology
From the preposition ἀπό (away from) and τινάσσω (to shake, to shake up), forming a compound verb meaning 'to shake away/off.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, ἀποτινάσσω appears primarily in contexts where a physical substance or object (often dust) is shaken off from a person or object, frequently to symbolize a break in relationship, responsibility, or obligation—especially in the New Testament, where shaking off the dust signifies rejection or dissociation from a location or group. In classical Greek, τινάσσω is broadly used for shaking, but the compound with ἀπό narrows the focus to purposeful removal or separation. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the word often carries a performative or symbolic nuance beyond the literal physical gesture. English translations tend to render it as 'shake off,' but may miss the intentional or dismissive aspect embedded in the Greek usage. Notably, the action is more than casual; it conveys a deliberate and public disavowal.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀπό and (to jostle); to brush off:--shake off.
Root Family
ἀποτινάσσω (apotinassō) — shake off, dislodge, remove decisively, reject association
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G660-02 |
ἀποτινάξας | apotinaxas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
shook off | having shaken off | having shaken off | 1 |
G660-01 |
ἀποτινάσσετε | apotinassete | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
shake off | be shaking off | shake off | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences