ἀποσκευάζομαι

I prepare for a journey, depart

Definition

The verb ἀποσκευάζομαι means to prepare for a journey by packing up one's belongings or equipment, and by extension, to depart or set out on a journey. It carries the specific sense of making ready for travel, often implying a deliberate and organized process of gathering and arranging one's gear. In its single New Testament occurrence in Acts 21:15, it describes the Apostle Paul and his companions preparing to leave for Jerusalem after their stay in Caesarea. The word focuses on the preparatory action that precedes the act of departure itself.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 21:15. In this context, it describes the practical preparations of Paul and his missionary team as they conclude their visit and ready themselves for the next leg of their journey to Jerusalem. The usage is straightforward and narrative, detailing a moment of transition in the travelogue of Acts. There are no other occurrences to establish broader patterns of usage.

Etymology

The word is a compound verb formed from the preposition ἀπό (apo, meaning 'away from') and the verb σκευάζω (skeuazō, meaning 'to prepare, to pack, or to equip'). The root σκευάζω is related to σκεῦος (skeuos), meaning 'vessel, implement, or equipment.' Thus, the combined meaning is literally 'to pack things away from' a place, i.e., to pack up for departure. The derivation clearly connects to the act of preparing one's belongings for travel.

Semantic Range

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, travel was arduous and required significant forethought. Preparing for a journey (ἀποσκευάζομαι) involved physically gathering one's possessions, which might include clothing, tools, scrolls, food, and tents for longer trips. This was not a casual act but a necessary and deliberate process before setting out on often dangerous roads. The term reflects the practical reality of mobility in the apostolic era, where missionary travel was central to spreading the gospel.

ἀνατίθημι (anatithēmi, G394) — to set forth or relate, often used for presenting a narrative or account, not for physical preparation. πορεύομαι (poreuomai, G4198) — a general verb for going or traveling, focusing on the journey itself rather than the preparatory packing. ἑτοιμάζω (hetoimazō, G2090) — to make ready or prepare, a broader term that can apply to many contexts beyond travel.

Word Details

Scripture References