Greek · G873 · unreviewed

ἀφορίζω

To separate

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

ἀφορίζω G873

Pronunciation aphorízō

What does ἀφορίζω (aphorízō) mean in the Bible?

ἀφορίζω (aphorízō) is a Greek word meaning "to separate". ἀφ-ορίζω [in LXX (Cremer, 805 f. Highlights divine commissioning for missionary work.

Full entry for ἀφορίζω (G873) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to separate

Extended definition

Separation marked by divine purpose: either excluding from community or setting apart for God's service.

ato mark off by boundaries from, separate from: with accusative, Act.19:9, Gal.2:12; id. before ἐκ (ἀπό), Mat.13:49 25:32 (MM, see word); of excommunication, Luk.6:22. Pass., absol., 2Co.6:17;

bto set apart, devote to a special purpose (before εἰς): with accusative, Gal.1:15. Mid., Act.13:2, Rom.1:1 (DB, iii 588).

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Why This Word Matters

Highlights divine commissioning for missionary work. Acts 13:1-12

Grammatical Forms

How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.

Tenses

Future Present Aorist Perfect Imperfect

Voices

Active Passive

Indicative states a fact or reality 5×

Future Active Matt 13:49 · Matt 25:32 2×

Present Active Matt 25:32 1×

Aorist Active Acts 19:9 1×

Imperfect Active Gal 2:12 1×

Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 1×

Aorist Active Luke 6:22 1×

Imperative command or strong request 2×

Aorist Active Acts 13:2 1×

Aorist Passive 2 Cor 6:17 1×

Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 2×

Perfect Passive Rom 1:1 1×

Aorist Active Gal 1:15 1×

Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 10 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect

completed 1 ongoing 1 prospective 2 imperative 2 background 1 subjunctive 1 participle 2

Tense

aorist 5 future 2 imperfect 1 present 1 perfect 1

Voice

active 8 passive 2

Mood

indicative 5 imperative 2 participle 2 subjunctive 1

NT Occurrences

Matthew 13:49 ἀφοριοῦσιν future active indicative prospective Matthew 25:32 ἀφορίσει future active indicative prospective Matthew 25:32 ἀφορίζει present active indicative ongoing Luke 6:22 ἀφορίσωσιν aorist active subjunctive subjunctive Acts 13:2 Ἀφορίσατε aorist active imperative imperative Acts 19:9 ἀφώρισεν aorist active indicative completed Romans 1:1 ἀφωρισμένος perfect passive participle participle 2 Corinthians 6:17 ἀφορίσθητε aorist passive imperative imperative Galatians 1:15 ἀφορίσας aorist active participle participle Galatians 2:12 ἀφώριζεν imperfect active indicative background

Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.

Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)

Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

New Testament Witnesses

Acts 13:1-12 Set Apart aphorízō Imperative · Aorist Active

To designate or separate for a specific purpose.

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Acts 13 — The Spirit Sends the Mission and the Word Turns to the Gentiles Matthew 25 — Readiness, Stewardship, and the Final Judgment of the Son of Man Romans 1 — The Gospel Reveals the Righteousness of God and the Wrath of God

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details