English · KJV
G1602

ἐκπλέω

ekpléō /ek-pleh'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ἐκ and πλέω
Meaningto depart by ship
KJV usagesail (away, thence).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ekpléō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word ekpléō, represented by G1602, is a specific term used to mean to depart by ship. Formed from the words ἐκ (from) and πλέω (to sail), it appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. Its usage is confined to the book of Acts, where it marks the beginning of a sea voyage.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G1602 is used exclusively to describe the missionary travels of the apostles. In one instance, after a "sharp contention" between Paul and Barnabas, Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus G2954 Acts 15:39. The term is also used when Paul, after fulfilling a vow G2171 in Cenchrea G2747, sailed thence into Syria G4947 with Priscilla and Aquila Acts 18:18. Finally, it describes the departure of the author and his companions who sailed away from Philippi G5375 toward Troas G5174 Acts 20:6.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the journeys initiated by G1602:

  • G3948 paroxysmós (incitement... or dispute): This word describes the "sharp contention" that directly led to Barnabas and Mark sailing to Cyprus Acts 15:39, showing that these departures were not always harmonious.
  • G657 apotássomai (to say adieu... take leave): This action often precedes the departure. Paul took his leave of the brethren before he sailed for Syria, indicating a formal farewell Acts 18:18.
  • G2954 Kýpros (Cyprus): This identifies a key destination. As an island in the Mediterranean, it was a region reached specifically by sea travel, such as when Barnabas sailed there Acts 15:39.
  • G5375 Phílippoi (Philippi): This specifies a point of origin for a journey. The disciples sailed away from this place in Macedonia after observing the days of unleavened bread Acts 20:6.

Theological Significance

The significance of G1602 lies in its role as a marker for key transitions in the early church's mission.

  • Missionary Advancement: The act of sailing away propels the gospel into new territories. Paul's departure for Syria G4947 continues his planned missionary work Acts 18:18, and the voyage from Philippi to Troas G5174 is another step in that apostolic journey Acts 20:6.
  • Providential Redirection: The departure of Barnabas and Mark for Cyprus G2954 was born from a dispute, yet it resulted in the creation of a separate missionary team, effectively broadening the reach of their ministry work Acts 15:39.
  • Personal Faith: Paul's sailing in Acts 18:18 is immediately preceded by the fulfillment of a personal vow G2171, demonstrating how these larger missionary movements were intertwined with the individual piety and devotion of the apostles.

Summary

In summary, G1602 is more than a logistical term for travel. While it literally means to depart by ship, its use in the book of Acts chronicles pivotal moments in the expansion of the early church. It highlights how missionary journeys were initiated for strategic purposes, as a result of personal conviction, and even in the midst of interpersonal conflict, all of which were instrumental in the spread of the gospel throughout the Mediterranean world.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×
  • Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
  • Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G2954 Κύπρος of uncertain origin; Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean:--Cyprus. G2171 εὐχή from εὔχομαι; properly, a wish, expressed as a petition to God, or in votive obligation:--prayer, vow. G2747 Κεγχρεαί probably from kegchros (millet); Cenchreæ, a port of Corinth:--Cencrea. G4947 Συρία probably of Hebrew origin (צֹר); Syria (i.e. Tsyria or Tyre), a region of Asia:--Syria. G5375 Φίλιπποι plural of Φίλιππος; Philippi, a place in Macedonia:--Philippi. G5174 Τρωάς from (a Trojan); the Troad (or plain of Troy), i.e. Troas, a place in Asia Minor:--Troas.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

3 verses, all in Acts — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.