ἄπειμι

I go away, depart

Definition

The verb ἄπειμι means 'to go away,' 'depart,' or 'be absent.' In its sole New Testament occurrence in Acts 17:10, it describes the immediate departure of Paul and Silas from Thessalonica under cover of night for their safety. While this is its only biblical use, in broader Greek literature, the word can also carry the sense of being physically absent from a place or person. The prefix ἀ- often intensifies the sense of movement away, emphasizing a definitive leaving.

Biblical Usage

Ἄπειμι is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 17:10, where it narrates the swift and secretive departure of Paul and Silas from Thessalonica to Berea to escape persecution. This single usage is purely narrative, describing a physical movement for the purpose of safety and continuing the missionary journey. It does not carry any specialized theological or metaphorical meaning in the biblical text.

Etymology

Ἄπειμι is a compound verb formed from the prefix ἀ- (meaning 'away from' or functioning as an intensifier) and the root verb εἶμι (eimi, not the 'to be' verb, but an older verb meaning 'to go'). Thus, its core meaning is 'to go away.' It is related to other Greek verbs of motion but is distinct in its focus on departure.

Semantic Range

In the Greco-Roman world, a sudden, secretive departure like the one described in Acts 17:10 was a common strategy to avoid mob violence or official detention when someone was perceived as a public disturbance. The narrative use of ἄπειμι here reflects the real dangers faced by early Christian missionaries who often had to flee cities to preserve their lives and continue their work elsewhere.

ὑπάγω (hypagō, G5217) — a more general term for 'go' or 'depart,' often used in commands. ἀπέρχομαι (aperchomai, G565) — the most common verb for 'go away' or 'depart,' used frequently in the NT. πορεύομαι (poreuomai, G4198) — emphasizes the process of going or traveling on a journey.

Word Details

Scripture References