ἔξειμι
I go out, depart
Definition
The verb ἔξειμι (exeimi) means 'to go out' or 'to depart' from a place. In the New Testament, it is used both for a simple physical departure, as when Paul and Barnabas leave the synagogue in Antioch (Acts 13:42), and for a more deliberate exit, such as when Paul departs from Athens (Acts 17:15). In Acts 27:43, it takes on the specific sense of disembarking or getting out of a ship, highlighting a movement from one defined space to another. The word consistently implies a movement outward from a point of origin.
Biblical Usage
ἔξειμι appears exclusively in the Book of Acts, describing the movements of Paul and his companions. It is used in narrative contexts to mark transitions in the missionary journeys. In Acts 13:42, it describes the apostles leaving a synagogue gathering. In Acts 17:15, it denotes Paul's departure from a city (Athens). Acts 20:7 uses it for Paul's exit from a prolonged meeting, and Acts 27:43 applies it to people escaping a shipwreck by getting out of the vessel. The usage pattern shows it as a formal or narrative term for departure.
Etymology
ἔξειμι is a compound verb formed from the preposition ἐξ (ex), meaning 'out of,' and the verb εἶμι (eimi), an older form meaning 'I go' or 'I shall go.' Literally, it means 'I go out.' This construction is straightforward, combining the directional prefix with the verb of motion to create a specific sense of outward movement.
Semantic Range
In the Greco-Roman world, verbs of motion like ἔξειμι were common in travel narratives and historical accounts. Its use in Acts aligns with the book's style as a record of apostolic journeys. The act of 'departing' often signaled a transition in mission or the spread of the gospel message to a new location, a culturally significant theme in a mobile society.
ἐξέρχομαι (exerchomai, G1831) — A more common and general synonym for 'go out,' used in a wider variety of contexts, including supernatural exits. ἀπέρχομαι (aperchomai, G565) — Emphasizes 'going away' or 'departing,' often with a sense of finality or separation from.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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