647. apostasion

Lexicon

apostasion: Divorce, certificate of divorce

Original Word: ἀποστάσιον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: apostasion
Pronunciation: ah-pos-TAS-ee-on
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-os-tas'-ee-on)
Definition: Divorce, certificate of divorce
Meaning: repudiation, divorce; met: bill of divorce.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

certificate of divorce

Neuter of a (presumed) adjective from a derivative of aphistemi; properly, something separative, i.e. (specially) divorce -- (writing of) divorcement.

see GREEK aphistemi

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from aphistémi
Definition
a forsaking, spec. (bill of) divorce
NASB Translation
certificate of divorce (1), divorce (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 647: ἀποστάσιον

ἀποστάσιον, ἀποστασίου, τό, very seldom in native Greek writings, defection, of a freedman from his patron, Demosthenes 35, 48 (940, 16); in the Bible:

1. divorce, repudiation: Matthew 19:7; Mark 10:4 (βιβλίον ἀποστασίου, equivalent to כְּרִיתֻת סֵפֶר book or bill of divorce, Deuteronomy 24:1, 3; (Isaiah 50:1; Jeremiah 3:8)).

2. a bill of divorce: Matthew 5:31. Grotius at the passage and Lightfoot, Horae Hebrew at the passage, We a copy of one.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from ἀφίστημι (aphistēmi), meaning "to stand away" or "to depart."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of a certificate of divorce in the Hebrew Scriptures is linked to the Hebrew term כְּרִיתוּת (kerithuth), found in Deuteronomy 24:1-3. This term is often translated as "divorce" or "cutting off," reflecting the severance of the marital bond. The Hebrew root כָּרַת (karath) means "to cut" or "to cut off," which aligns with the idea of formally ending a marriage through a written document.

Usage: The term ἀποστάσιον is used in the context of divorce, specifically referring to the legal document or certificate that signifies the dissolution of a marriage.

Context: The Greek term ἀποστάσιον appears in the New Testament in the context of discussions about marriage and divorce. It is found in passages where Jesus addresses the Pharisees' questions about the legality and morality of divorce. The term is used to denote the formal certificate that was required under Mosaic Law to legally dissolve a marriage.

In Matthew 5:31 (BSB), Jesus states, "It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’" Here, ἀποστάσιον refers to the certificate that was necessary to make a divorce official. This certificate served as a legal protection for the woman, allowing her to remarry without the stigma of adultery.

Similarly, in Matthew 19:7 (BSB), the Pharisees question Jesus, "Why then did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" This reflects the practice established in Deuteronomy 24:1-4, where the certificate of divorce is mentioned as a legal requirement.

The use of ἀποστάσιον highlights the tension between the legalistic interpretation of the law and the original intent of marriage as a lifelong covenant. Jesus' teachings emphasize the sanctity and permanence of marriage, challenging the permissive attitudes towards divorce prevalent in His time.

Forms and Transliterations

αποστάσει αποστάσεις αποστασίαι αποστασιον αποστάσιον ἀποστάσιον αποστασιου αποστασίου ἀποστασίου αποστάται αποστάτας αποστατείτε αποστάτην αποστατήσαι αποστάτιν αποστάτις αποστατούντας apostasion apostásion apostasiou apostasíou

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 5:31 N-ANS
GRK: δότω αὐτῇ ἀποστάσιον
NAS: LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE';
KJV: her a writing of divorcement:
INT: let him give to her a letter of divorce

Matthew 19:7 N-GNS
GRK: δοῦναι βιβλίον ἀποστασίου καὶ ἀπολῦσαι
NAS: HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND [her] AWAY?
KJV: a writing of divorcement, and
INT: to give a bill of divorce and to divorce

Mark 10:4 N-GNS
GRK: Μωυσῆς βιβλίον ἀποστασίου γράψαι καὶ
NAS: A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND [her] AWAY.
KJV: a bill of divorcement, and
INT: Moses a bill of divorce to write and

Strong's Greek 647
3 Occurrences

ἀποστάσιον — 1 Occ.
ἀποστασίου — 2 Occ.