1846. exorussó
Lexical Summary
exorussó: To dig out, to gouge out

Original Word: ἐξορύσσω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: exorussó
Pronunciation: ex-or-OOS-so
Phonetic Spelling: (ex-or-oos'-so)
KJV: break up, pluck out
NASB: dug, plucked
Word Origin: [from G1537 (ἐκ - among) and G3736 (ὀρύσσω - dug)]

1. to dig out
2. (by extension) to extract (an eye), remove (roofing)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
extract, pluck out.

From ek and orusso; to dig out, i.e. (by extension) to extract (an eye), remove (roofing) -- break up, pluck out.

see GREEK ek

see GREEK orusso

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ek and orussó
Definition
to dig out or up
NASB Translation
dug (1), plucked (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1846: ἐξορύσσω

ἐξορύσσω: 1 aorist participle ἐξορύξαντες; from Herodotus down;

1. to dig out: τούς ὀφθαλμούς (properly, to pluck out the eyes; so Judges 16:21 (Alex.); 1 Samuel 11:2; Herodotus 8, 116; Josephus, Antiquities 6, 5, 1; Lucian, dial. deor. 1, 1; others) καί διδόναι τίνι, metaphorically, to renounce the most precious things for another's advantage, Galatians 4:15 (similar expressions see in Terence, adelph. 4, 5, 67; Horace sat. 2, 5, 35; (Wetstein at the passage)); in opposition to a very few interpretaters who, assuming that Paul suffered from a weakness of the eyes, understand the words literally, Ye would have plucked out your sound eyes and have put them into me, see Meyer at the passage; (cf. references under the word σκόλοψ, at the end).

2. to dig through: τήν στέγην, Mark 2:4.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 1846 conveys the idea of forcefully digging, gouging, or removing an obstacle in order to reach a desired object or achieve a particular goal. Its two New Testament appearances embody determined, self‐sacrificing action—first in a narrative of bold faith (Mark 2:4), then in a Pauline appeal to remembered devotion (Galatians 4:15).

Occurrences and Context

1. Mark 2:4 – “Since they were unable to get to Jesus because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat.”
• Four friends literally dig through a roof, illustrating loving ingenuity that refuses to let physical barriers hinder access to Christ.
• The act anticipates the Lord’s authoritative pronouncement of both healing and forgiveness (Mark 2:5–11), underscoring the truth that genuine faith expresses itself in decisive deeds (James 2:18).

2. Galatians 4:15 – “What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.”
• Paul reminds the Galatians of their former readiness to “gouge out” their own eyes for him, an idiom of extravagant affection.
• The verb evokes the contrast between past zeal and their present vulnerability to legalistic distortion of the gospel (Galatians 1:6–7; 3:1).

Literary and Theological Themes

Faith that Clears Obstacles
• In Mark, the friends’ digging dramatizes how authentic faith dismantles impediments to encounter Christ (cf. Hebrews 11:6).
• The subsequent forgiveness of sins signals that the greatest barrier removed is spiritual, not merely physical.

Sacrificial Devotion in Christian Fellowship
• Paul’s recollection in Galatians portrays gospel‐born relationships marked by self‐emptying love (Philippians 2:3–4).
• The verb’s visceral imagery magnifies the seriousness of drifting from that initial devotion (Revelation 2:4).

Contrast of External and Internal Barriers
• Roof tiles and physical structures give way in Mark; heart attitudes and doctrinal confusion erect new partitions in Galatians.
• Together the texts warn that while external hindrances can be overcome by determined action, doctrinal compromise requires vigilant adherence to apostolic truth (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

Background in the Septuagint and Jewish Literature

The verb group regularly describes digging wells (Genesis 26:25), hollowing out cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13), or gouging eyes in judgment (1 Samuel 11:2). Such Old Testament usage enriches the New Testament imagery: the purposeful removal of material to reach life‐sustaining water parallels believers’ efforts to access the life found in Christ, while the punitive “gouging” warns of the gravity of covenant infidelity.

Implications for Ministry and Discipleship

Removing Hindrances to the Gospel
• Contemporary evangelism mirrors the Mark account when believers creatively address logistical, cultural, or relational barriers that keep people from meeting Jesus (Romans 10:14–15).

Guarding Affection for Sound Doctrine
• The Galatian context exhorts leaders to continually cultivate gospel clarity lest initial fervor be replaced by legalism or apathy (1 Timothy 4:16).

Embodied Love Within the Church
• Willingness to undergo personal discomfort or loss—symbolized by “digging” roofs or even “gouging” eyes—forms the practical outworking of the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

Historical Reflection in Church Tradition

Early Christian writers referenced Mark 2 as an illustration of intercessory faith. Irenaeus highlighted the friends’ labor as evidence that faith is authenticated by works of love. Medieval homilists compared the roof’s removal to the tearing of Christ’s flesh on the cross, opening direct access to divine mercy (Hebrews 10:19–20).

Practical Application for Contemporary Believers

• Examine and dismantle personal attitudes, habits, or structures that block fellowship with Christ or service to others.
• Recall past seasons of spiritual zeal and ask whether present choices reflect the same readiness to sacrifice for gospel purposes.
• Foster communities where mutual aid is not theoretical but tangible, echoing the Galatians’ former willingness to give even what is most precious.

Related Biblical Motifs

• Opening a path to God: Joshua 3:14–16; Isaiah 40:3–4.
• Removing obstacles of unbelief: Matthew 17:19–20; Hebrews 12:1–2.
• Costly love among believers: John 13:34–35; 2 Corinthians 12:15.

Such multifaceted usage of Strong’s Greek 1846 ultimately points to the relentless, loving initiative that both seeks and safeguards fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
εξορύξαι εξορυξαντες εξορύξαντες ἐξορύξαντες εξώρυξαν εξώρυξεν exoruxantes exoryxantes exorýxantes
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Mark 2:4 V-APA-NMP
GRK: ἦν καὶ ἐξορύξαντες χαλῶσι τὸν
NAS: above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down
KJV: and when they had broken [it] up, they let down
INT: he was and having broken up [it] they let down the

Galatians 4:15 V-APA-NMP
GRK: ὀφθαλμοὺς ὑμῶν ἐξορύξαντες ἐδώκατέ μοι
NAS: possible, you would have plucked out your eyes
KJV: [it had been] possible, ye would have plucked out your
INT: eyes of you having plucked out you would have given [them] to me

Strong's Greek 1846
2 Occurrences


ἐξορύξαντες — 2 Occ.

1845
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