ἀποστρέφω
apostrephō
to turn away
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredApostrephō, as found in 9 instances of the Greek New Testament, represents the concept of turning away in a broad sense. This action can involve physically moving in a contrary direction, but in its biblical usage, it generally carries a metaphorical meaning of turning one's attention or allegiance away from something or someone. Apostrephō is employed to describe individuals leaving the presence of God (e.g., turning away from God), as well as rejecting others (turning away from them). The word may also imply a change in heart, where one turns away from bad thoughts or actions, and towards the divine. Its usage often carries a negative connotation of rejection or dismissal, however, some instances indicate turning towards the right path or faith. Given its frequency and range of application in the Greek Bible, apostrephō contributes significantly to our understanding of human relationships with the divine, with others, and with one's inner self. It serves as a powerful tool to explore themes of moral transformation, spiritual struggle, and the complexities of interpersonal interactions.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences across the text
Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
Matthew 26:52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
Luke 23:14and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and behold, having examined him before you, I found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him.
Acts 3:26God, having raised up his servant Jesus, sent him to you first to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your wickedness.”
Romans 11:26and so all Israel will be saved. Even as it is written, “There will come out of Zion the Deliverer, and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
2 Timothy 1:15This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me, of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
2 Timothy 4:4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables.
Titus 1:14not paying attention to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
Hebrews 12:25See that you don’t refuse him who speaks. For if they didn’t escape when they refused him who warned on the earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven,