Strong's Lexicon aphesis: Forgiveness, release, remission Original Word: ἄφεσις Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ἀφίημι (aphiēmi), meaning "to send away" or "to release." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H5547 (סְלִיחָה, selichah): Forgiveness, pardon - H3722 (כָּפַר, kaphar): To cover, to atone, to forgive Usage: In the New Testament, "aphesis" primarily refers to the act of forgiving or the state of being forgiven. It conveys the idea of releasing someone from a debt or obligation, often used in the context of sin. The term emphasizes the liberation and pardon granted by God to sinners through Jesus Christ. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of "aphesis" was understood in legal and financial contexts, often referring to the cancellation of debts or the release of prisoners. In Jewish tradition, the idea of forgiveness was deeply rooted in the sacrificial system and the Day of Atonement, where sins were symbolically transferred and removed. The New Testament writers, particularly in the context of Jesus' ministry, expanded this concept to signify spiritual liberation and reconciliation with God. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 859 áphesis (from 863 /aphíēmi, "send away, forgive" ) – properly, "something sent away"; i.e. remission ("forgiveness"), releasing someone from obligation or debt. See 863 (aphiēmi). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aphiémi Definition dismissal, release, fig. pardon NASB Translation forgiveness (15), free* (1), release (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 859: ἄφεσιςἄφεσις, ἀφέσεως, ἡ (ἀφίημι); 1. release, as from bondage, imprisonment, etc.: Luke 4:18 (19) (Isaiah 61:1f; Polybius 1, 79, 12, etc.). 2. ἄφεσις ἁμαρτιῶν forgiveness, pardon, of sins (properly, the letting them go, as if they had not been committed (see at length Trench, § xxxiii.)), remission of their penalty: Matthew 26:28; Mark 1:4; Luke 1:77; Luke 3:3; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:38; Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:14; τῶν παραπτωμάτων, Ephesians 1:7; and simply ἄφεσις: Mark 3:29; Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 10:18 (φόνου, Plato, legg. 9, p. 869 d.; ἐγκληματων, Diodorus 20, 44 (so Dionysius Halicarnassus 50:8 § 50, see also 7, 33; 7, 46; especially 7, 64; ἁμαρτημάτων, Philo, vit. Moys. 3:17; others.)). From aphiemi; freedom; (figuratively) pardon -- deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission. see GREEK aphiemi Englishman's Concordance Matthew 26:28 N-AFSGRK: ἐκχυννόμενον εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν NAS: out for many for forgiveness of sins. KJV: many for the remission of sins. INT: is poured out for forgiveness of sins Mark 1:4 N-AFS Mark 3:29 N-AFS Luke 1:77 N-DFS Luke 3:3 N-AFS Luke 4:18 N-AFS Luke 4:18 N-DFS Luke 24:47 N-AFS Acts 2:38 N-AFS Acts 5:31 N-AFS Acts 10:43 N-AFS Acts 13:38 N-NFS Acts 26:18 N-AFS Ephesians 1:7 N-AFS Colossians 1:14 N-AFS Hebrews 9:22 N-NFS Hebrews 10:18 N-NFS Strong's Greek 859 |