ἐκκομίζω

I carry out

Definition

The verb ἐκκομίζω means 'to carry out' or 'to bear out,' specifically referring to the act of carrying a body out of a place, typically for burial. In its sole New Testament occurrence in Luke 7:12, it describes the procession carrying out the only son of a widow from the city gate of Nain for burial. This usage aligns with its classical and Koine Greek sense of removing a corpse, often from a house or city to a burial site. No other distinct biblical senses are attested, as it appears only in this narrative context.

Biblical Usage

ἐκκομίζω is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 7:12. It appears in a narrative context describing a funeral procession, where the dead man is being carried out of the city. The usage is straightforward and literal, with no figurative applications in the biblical corpus. The word helps set the scene for the subsequent miracle of Jesus raising the young man from the dead.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning 'out of' or 'from,' combined with the verb κομίζω (komizō), which means 'to carry,' 'to bring,' or 'to receive.' Κομίζω itself comes from a root meaning 'to tend' or 'to care for.' Thus, ἐκκομίζω literally means 'to carry out,' with its compounded form emphasizing movement away from an interior space to an exterior one, fitting its funerary context.

Semantic Range

While ἐκκομίζω itself is not a theologically loaded term, its use in Luke 7:12 is theologically significant as it sets the stage for a powerful demonstration of Jesus' compassion and authority over death. The act of carrying out the dead highlights the finality of human loss, which Jesus directly confronts by raising the young man. This miracle affirms Jesus' identity as the Lord of life and prefigures his own resurrection, offering hope in the face of mortality. Understanding this specific Greek term enriches the reading by vividly depicting the cultural practice of burial, making Jesus' intervention all the more dramatic and meaningful.

In the ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish world, burial typically occurred outside city walls, often in tombs or cemeteries. Carrying a body out (ἐκκομίζω) was a standard part of funeral rites, signifying the removal of death's impurity from the community's living space. The procession in Luke 7:12, moving from the city gate, reflects this practice. For the widow, her son's death meant not only personal grief but also the loss of her primary means of social and economic support, intensifying the tragedy that Jesus addresses.

θάπτω (thaptō, G2290) — to bury, inter, or perform funeral rites; focuses on the act of burial itself rather than the carrying out. φέρω (pherō, G5342) — to bear, carry, or bring; a more general term for carrying without the specific funerary or 'outward' connotation.

Word Details

Scripture References