Lexical Summary exaleiphó: To wipe out, to blot out, to erase, to obliterate Original Word: ἐξαλείφω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance blot out, wipe away. From ek and aleipho; to smear out, i.e. Obliterate (erase tears, figuratively, pardon sin) -- blot out, wipe away. see GREEK ek see GREEK aleipho HELPS Word-studies 1813 eksaleíphō (from 1537 /ek, "wholly out from," intensifying 218 /aleíphō, "smear") – properly, to rub (smear) out, i.e. completely remove (wipe away); obliterate; remove totally from a previous state with the outcome of being blotted out (erased). [1813 (eksaleíphō) originally meant, "to plaster, rub smooth, or whitewash." Later it referred to "wiping out" in the sense of "to cancel" (rubbing out a writing or seal impression left on a wax tablet). Thus 1813 (eksaleíphō) was used for canceling obligations or entitlements (extended benefits or liabilities).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and aleiphó Definition to wipe out, erase, obliterate NASB Translation canceled (1), erase (1), wipe (1), wipe away (1), wiped away (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1813: ἐξαλείφωἐξαλείφω: future ἐξαλείψω; 1 aorist participle ἐξαλείψας; 1 aorist passive infinitive ἐξαλειφθῆναι ((WH ἐξαλιφθῆναι; see their Appendix, p. 154, and under the word Iota)); 1. (εξ( denoting completeness (cf. ἐκ, VI. 6)), to anoint or wash in every part, hence, to besmear: equivalent to cover with lime (to whitewash or plaster), τό τεῖχος, Thucydides 3, 20; τούς τοίχους τοῦ ἱεροῦ (here to overlay with gold etc.), 1 Chronicles 29:4; τήν οἰκίαν, Leviticus 14:42 (for טוּחַ). 2. (εξ( denoting removal (cf. ἐκ, VI. 2)), to wipe off, wipe away: δάκρυον ἀπό (G L T Tr WH ἐκ) τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν, Revelation 7:17; Revelation 21:4 (R G WH marginal reading, others ἐκ); to obliterate, erase, wipe out, blot out, (Aeschylus, Herodotus, others; the Sept. for מָחָה): τί, Colossians 2:14; τό ὄνομα ἐκ τῆς βίβλου, Revelation 3:5 (Ps. 68(69): The verb occurs five times in the New Testament and always depicts a complete removal—whether of sins, debts, names, or tears. In every context God is the active agent, underscoring divine initiative and power to erase what would otherwise remain. Old Testament Background The Septuagint often uses this same verb to translate the Hebrew idea of “blotting out” (Psalm 51:1, Isaiah 43:25). There, covenant-keeping Yahweh promises to wipe away transgressions from His own record book. This background prepares the reader for the stronger, Christ-centered fulfillment seen in the New Testament. New Testament Occurrences Acts 3:19 joins repentance to the wiping away of sins so that “times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Forgiveness is not abstract but experiential, bringing spiritual vitality to the believing community. Colossians 2:14 applies the wiping action to a “record of debt,” portraying the cross as the cosmic erasure of the legal charges that stood against us. Revelation 3:5 warns that names can be blotted out of the book of life, stressing persevering faith. Revelation 7:17 and Revelation 21:4 direct attention to the consummation, where God “will wipe away every tear,” demonstrating that the same divine hand that removes sin will finally remove sorrow itself. Theological Themes 1. Judicial Cleansing: Sin is pictured as a written indictment. God’s wiping action rescinds the verdict, satisfying divine justice through the atonement of Christ. Christological Fulfillment At Calvary the handwriting of ordinances was nailed and erased simultaneously (Colossians 2:14). The cross is thus both the pen that signs our pardon and the eraser that removes our guilt. Every New Testament use hinges on this redemptive event. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Preaching: Emphasize complete forgiveness—no lingering blot remains for those in Christ. Historical Interpretation Early church fathers saw in Acts 3:19 a call to post-baptismal repentance, while Reformers highlighted the once-for-all nature of the gospel promise. Puritan writers often connected Revelation 21:4 to the intermediate state, arguing that tears are progressively removed even before final glorification. Related Concepts • Book of Life (Exodus 32:32, Philippians 4:3). Key Passages for Study Acts 3:19 – “Repent therefore, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away.” Colossians 2:14 – “Having canceled the record of debt with its charges against us, He took it away, nailing it to the cross.” Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” In sum, the verb encapsulates the gospel’s two great movements: the present erasure of sin’s record and the future erasure of sorrow’s scars. Both flow from the same gracious hand, inviting confident faith and hopeful endurance. Englishman's Concordance Acts 3:19 V-ANPGRK: εἰς τὸ ἐξαλειφθῆναι ὑμῶν τὰς NAS: that your sins may be wiped away, in order KJV: sins may be blotted out, when INT: for the blotting out of your Colossians 2:14 V-APA-NMS Revelation 3:5 V-FIA-1S Revelation 7:17 V-FIA-3S Revelation 21:4 V-FIA-3S Strong's Greek 1813 |
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