639. aporeó

Lexicon

aporeó: To be perplexed, to be at a loss, to be in doubt

Original Word: ἀπορέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: aporeó
Pronunciation: a-po-reh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-or-eh'-o)
Definition: To be perplexed, to be at a loss, to be in doubt
Meaning: I am at a loss, am perplexed; mid: I am in doubt.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

stand in doubt, be perplexed.

From a compound of a (as a negative particle) and the base of poreuomai; to have no way out, i.e. Be at a loss (mentally) -- (stand in) doubt, be perplexed.

see GREEK a

see GREEK poreuomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and poros (a way, resource)
Definition
to be at a loss, be perplexed
NASB Translation
am perplexed (1), being at a loss (1), loss (1), perplexed (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 639: ἀπορέω

ἀπορέω, ἀπόρω: imperfect 3 person singular ἠπόρει (Mark 6:20 T WH Tr marginal reading); (present middle ἀποροῦμαι); to be ἄπορος (from alpha privative and πόρος a transit, ford, way, revenue, resource), i. e. "to be without resources, to be in straits, to be left wanting, to be embarrassed, to be in doubt, not to know which way to turn"; (imperfect in Mark 6:20 (see above) πολλά ἠπόρει he was in perplexity about many things or much perplexed (cf. Thucydides 5, 40, 3; Xenophon, Hell. 6, 1, 4; Herodotus 3, 4; 4, 179; Arlstot. meteorolog. 1, 1); elsewhere) middle, to be at a loss with oneself, be in doubt; not to know how to decide or what to do, to be perplexed: absolutely 2 Corinthians 4:8; περί τίνος, Luke 24:4 L T Tr WH; περί τίνος τίς λέγει, John 13:22; ἀποροῦμαι ἐν ὑμῖν I am perplexed about you, I know not how to deal with you, in what style to address you, Galatians 4:20; ἀπορούμενος ἐγώ εἰς (T Tr WH omit εἰς) τήν περί τούτου (τούτων L T Tr WH) ζήτησιν I being perplexed how to decide in reference to the inquiry concerning him (or these things), Acts 25:20. (Often in secular authors from Herodotus down; often also in the Sept.) (Compare: διαπορέω, ἐξαπορέω.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix ἀ- (a-, "not") and πόρος (poros, "a way, passage"), meaning "to be without a way" or "to be at a loss."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀπορέω, similar concepts of perplexity and confusion can be found in Hebrew words such as תָּמַהּ (tamah, Strong's 8539) meaning "to be astounded" or "to wonder," and בָּהַל (bahal, Strong's 926) meaning "to be dismayed" or "to be terrified." These terms capture the essence of being at a loss or in a state of confusion, akin to the Greek ἀπορέω.

Usage: The term ἀπορέω is used in the New Testament to describe a state of perplexity or confusion, often in the context of not knowing what to do or how to proceed. It conveys a sense of being troubled or distressed due to a lack of understanding or direction.

Context: The Greek verb ἀπορέω appears in several New Testament passages, illustrating moments of human perplexity and the challenges of faith. It is used to describe the emotional and mental state of individuals who find themselves in situations where they lack clarity or direction.

In 2 Corinthians 4:8, the Apostle Paul writes, "We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair." Here, ἀπορέω is translated as "perplexed," highlighting the trials faced by Paul and his companions. Despite their confusion and the challenges they encounter, they maintain hope and do not succumb to despair. This passage emphasizes the resilience of faith even amidst uncertainty.

Another instance is found in John 13:22, where the disciples are described as being perplexed about whom Jesus was speaking when He mentioned that one of them would betray Him. The use of ἀπορέω captures their confusion and inability to comprehend the situation fully.

The term also appears in Acts 25:20, where Festus, the Roman governor, admits to being at a loss (ἀπορέω) about how to handle Paul's case, illustrating the administrative and legal perplexity faced by Roman authorities in dealing with early Christian matters.

Overall, ἀπορέω reflects the human experience of uncertainty and the need for divine guidance and wisdom. It serves as a reminder of the limitations of human understanding and the importance of relying on God's direction in times of doubt.

Forms and Transliterations

απορεισθαι ἀπορεῖσθαι απορηθείς απορηθήσεται απορήσει απορουμαι απορούμαι ἀποροῦμαι απορουμένη απορουμένης απορουμενοι απορούμενοι ἀπορούμενοι απορουμενος απορούμενος ἀπορούμενος ηπορει ἠπόρει ηπορείτο aporeisthai aporeîsthai aporoumai aporoûmai aporoumenoi aporoúmenoi aporoumenos aporoúmenos eporei epórei ēporei ēpórei

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 6:20 V-IIA-3S
GRK: αὐτοῦ πολλὰ ἠπόρει καὶ ἡδέως
NAS: him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy
INT: him many things did and gladly

Luke 24:4 V-PNM
GRK: ἐν τῷ ἀπορεῖσθαι αὐτὰς περὶ
NAS: While they were perplexed about this,
INT: as were perplexed they about

John 13:22 V-PPM-NMP
GRK: οἱ μαθηταὶ ἀπορούμενοι περὶ τίνος
NAS: at one another, at a loss [to know] of which one
KJV: one on another, doubting of
INT: the disciples uncertain of whom

Acts 25:20 V-PPM-NMS
GRK: ἀπορούμενος δὲ ἐγὼ
NAS: Being at a loss how to investigate
KJV: And because I doubted of such
INT: being perplexed moreover I

2 Corinthians 4:8 V-PPM-NMP
GRK: οὐ στενοχωρούμενοι ἀπορούμενοι ἀλλ' οὐκ
NAS: but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;
KJV: distressed; [we are] perplexed, but
INT: not crushed perplexed but not

Galatians 4:20 V-PIM-1S
GRK: μου ὅτι ἀποροῦμαι ἐν ὑμῖν
NAS: my tone, for I am perplexed about
KJV: voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
INT: of me for I am perplexed as to you

Strong's Greek 639
6 Occurrences

ἀπορεῖσθαι — 1 Occ.
ἀποροῦμαι — 1 Occ.
ἀπορούμενοι — 2 Occ.
ἀπορούμενος — 1 Occ.
ἠπόρει — 1 Occ.