from ἐκ and ψύχω; to expire:--give (yield) up the ghost.
Transliteration:ekpsýchō
Pronunciation:ek-psoo'-kho
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐκψύχω (ekpsýchō), Strong's Number `{{G1634}}`, is a compound word derived from ἐκ (ek), meaning "out of" or "from," and ψύχω (psychō), meaning "to breathe," "to cool," or "to blow." The root ψύχω is closely related to ψυχή (psychē), meaning "soul," "life," or "breath." Therefore, ἐκψύχω literally signifies "to breathe out" or "to expire." Its primary semantic range is narrow and direct, referring specifically to the act of physical death, the cessation of life, or the departure of the life-breath/soul from the body. It is an unambiguous term for dying, emphasizing the finality of mortal existence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἐκψύχω appears three times in the New Testament, exclusively within the book of Acts, and in each instance, it describes a sudden and divinely-ordained death:
* In [[Acts 5:5]], Ananias, after being confronted by Peter about his deceit concerning the sale of property, "fell down and gave up the ghost." This immediate death serves as a stark demonstration of divine judgment against falsehood within the early Christian community.
* Similarly, in [[Acts 5:10]], Ananias's wife, Sapphira, upon repeating her husband's deception, "fell down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost." Her death reinforces the severity of God's response to hypocrisy and the sanctity of the Holy Spirit.
* The third occurrence is in [[Acts 12:23]], where Herod Agrippa I, having accepted blasphemous praise from the people, "was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost." This instance again portrays a swift, divinely-administered judgment, this time against pride and the usurpation of God's glory.
In all three contexts, ἐκψύχω underscores the direct intervention of God in bringing about the death of individuals who had committed serious offenses against His holiness or authority. The term highlights the abrupt and conclusive nature of these judgments.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of ἐκψύχω is illuminated by its relationship to several other Greek terms:
* ψυχή (psychē) `{{G5590}}`: As the root of ἐκψύχω, ψυχή signifies the soul, life, or breath, emphasizing that death involves the departure of this life-principle.
* ἀποθνῄσκω (apothnēskō) `{{G599}}`: This is the most common Greek verb for "to die" in a general sense. While ἀποθνῄσκω is a broader term, ἐκψύχω is more specific, highlighting the act of "breathing out" one's life.
* τελευτάω (teleutaō) `{{G5053}}`: Derived from τέλος (telos, end), this verb also means "to die" or "to come to an end." It focuses on the conclusion of life.
* ἐκπνέω (ekpneō) `{{G1606}}`: Meaning "to breathe out" or "to expire," this verb is very similar to ἐκψύχω and is notably used to describe Jesus' death on the cross ([[Mark 15:37]], [[Luke 23:46]]). While both terms denote expiring, ἐκψύχω specifically carries the nuance of the *psychē* (soul/life-breath) departing, whereas ἐκπνέω emphasizes the *pneuma* (spirit/breath).
These related terms collectively paint a picture of death as the separation of the life-principle from the physical body, often with theological implications regarding divine sovereignty and judgment.
### Theological Significance
The consistent use of ἐκψύχω in Acts carries profound theological significance:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Life and Death:** The term powerfully demonstrates God's absolute authority over human life. The deaths described are not natural occurrences but direct, immediate acts of divine judgment, underscoring that life and its cessation are ultimately in God's hands.
* **Consequences of Sin:** In the narratives of Ananias and Sapphira ([[Acts 5:5]], [[Acts 5:10]]), ἐκψύχω illustrates the severe and immediate consequences of sin, specifically lying to the Holy Spirit and attempting to deceive the early church. This emphasizes God's holiness and His demand for truth and integrity within the covenant community. Herod's death ([[Acts 12:23]]) likewise highlights the divine judgment against pride and blasphemy.
* **Purity of the Early Church:** The events in Acts 5, marked by the use of ἐκψύχω, served as a foundational moment for the nascent Christian community. They instilled a "great fear" ([[Acts 5:5]], [[Acts 5:11]]) among believers and unbelievers alike, establishing the seriousness of commitment to Christ and the necessity of purity and truth within the church.
* **Nature of Death:** While not a detailed theological exposition on the afterlife, the term implicitly affirms the concept of death as the departure of a vital life-principle (the *psychē*) from the body, rather than mere annihilation.
### Summary
ἐκψύχω (ekpsýchō) `{{G1634}}` is a precise Greek verb meaning "to breathe out" or "to expire," denoting the cessation of physical life through the departure of the life-breath or soul. Its three occurrences in the New Testament ([[Acts 5:5]], [[Acts 5:10]], [[Acts 12:23]]) are exclusively found in the book of Acts, where they uniformly describe sudden, divinely-ordained deaths. These instances serve as powerful demonstrations of God's immediate judgment against specific sins such as deceit, hypocrisy, pride, and blasphemy. The term underscores God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, highlights the serious consequences of sin within God's community, and implicitly affirms the concept of the *psychē* (soul/life-principle) departing the body at death.
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