from ἐκ and κομίζω; to bear forth (to burial):--carry out.
Transliteration:ekkomízō
Pronunciation:ek-kom-id'-zo
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G1580 (ekkomízō) is a compound word derived from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning "out of" or "from," and the verb κομίζω (komízō), meaning "to carry," "to bring," or "to convey." Synthetically, ekkomízō therefore signifies "to carry out" or "to bear forth." The base definition provided further specifies this action in a particular context: "to bear forth (to burial)." This suggests a precise semantic range, indicating not merely any act of carrying something out, but specifically the solemn procession of the deceased for interment. The prefix ek- emphasizes the movement from an enclosed space (such as a house or city) to an external one, consistent with ancient burial practices often occurring outside city limits.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb G1580 (ekkomízō) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Luke:
* [[Luke 7:12]]: "As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her."
In this sole occurrence, the word ἐκκομιζομένου (ekkomizomenou), a present participle, describes the action of a funeral procession. The context is profoundly significant: Jesus encounters a large crowd accompanying the body of a young man, the only son of a widow, being "carried out" for burial from the town of Nain. The use of ekkomízō here precisely conveys the customary practice of conveying the deceased from the place of death to the tomb, typically located outside the city gates. This single instance powerfully sets the scene for Jesus' miraculous intervention, highlighting the finality of death from a human perspective and the profound grief of the bereaved, which Jesus then divinely reverses. The word underscores the public and irreversible nature of the event prior to Christ's life-giving command.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek words convey the general idea of "carrying" or "bearing," but G1580 (ekkomízō) distinguishes itself through its specific nuance and context:
* κομίζω (komízō `{{G2892}}`): The root verb, meaning "to carry," "to bring," or "to receive." ekkomízō adds the directional "out" to this general action.
* φέρω (pherō `{{G5342}}`): A very common verb for "to bear," "to carry," or "to bring." It is a broader term without the specific implication of removal for burial.
* βαστάζω (bastázō `{{G941}}`): Means "to lift," "to carry," or "to bear," often implying a burden. While a dead body is a burden, ekkomízō focuses on the *purposeful removal* for burial.
* αἴρω (airō `{{G142}}`): Can mean "to lift," "to take up," or "to carry away." While it shares the "away" aspect, ekkomízō specifically implies the outward movement from a place to a final resting place.
The concept of "burial" is also related through terms like θάπτω (thaptō `{{G2290}}`, "to bury") and ταφή (taphē `{{G5027}}`, "burial"). ekkomízō describes the *procession* leading to ταφή, the act of carrying the body to the place where θάπτω will occur. The word thus evokes the solemnity of funeral rites, the public display of mourning, and the stark reality of death within the community.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of G1580 (ekkomízō) in [[Luke 7:12]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a stark backdrop against which Jesus' divine power over death is dramatically displayed. The act of "carrying out" the dead son of the widow of Nain represents the ultimate human experience of loss and finality. From a human perspective, once a body is carried out for burial, there is no return; it signifies the irreversible separation of life and the descent into the grave.
Jesus' encounter with this procession is not accidental; it is a direct confrontation with the dominion of death. His compassion for the grieving mother leads Him to interrupt this solemn, final act. By commanding the young man to rise, Jesus reverses the very process that ekkomízō describes. The "carrying out" of death is met by the "bringing back" of life. This moment powerfully illustrates Jesus' authority as the Lord of life, capable of overcoming even the most conclusive manifestation of death. It foreshadows His own resurrection and offers a glimpse of the eschatological hope that for those in Christ, death does not have the final word. The word ekkomízō thus becomes a poignant symbol of humanity's helplessness in the face of death, dramatically contrasted with the life-giving power of the Son of God.
### Summary
G1580 (ekkomízō) means "to carry out" or "to bear forth," specifically in the context of conveying a deceased person for burial. Its sole occurrence in [[Luke 7:12]] vividly describes the funeral procession of the widow's son in Nain. This word precisely captures the customary act of removing a body from the town for interment, emphasizing the finality and public nature of death in ancient society. Theologically, ekkomízō serves as a powerful contrast to Jesus' life-giving power. It represents the ultimate human act of surrender to death, which Jesus dramatically reverses through His compassionate and authoritative intervention, demonstrating His sovereignty over life and death and offering a profound message of hope.
TRV