from ἐκ and ὀρύσσω; to dig out, i.e. (by extension) to extract (an eye), remove (roofing):--break up, pluck out.
Transliteration:exorýssō
Pronunciation:ex-or-oos'-so
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ἐξορύσσω (exorýssō), `{{G1846}}`, is a compound verb formed from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning "out of" or "from," and the verb ὀρύσσω (orýssō), `{{G3736}}`, meaning "to dig." Therefore, the literal and core meaning of ἐξορύσσω is "to dig out."
This fundamental meaning extends to several forceful actions:
* **To extract**: Specifically, to "pluck out" or remove something deeply embedded, such as an eye. This connotation suggests a violent or complete removal.
* **To break up/tear open**: Used in the context of a structure like a roof, it implies a destructive act of digging or tearing through material to create an opening or gain access.
The word carries a strong semantic weight of decisive, often disruptive or violent, action undertaken to remove an obstruction or to extract something from its fixed position. It implies overcoming resistance through forceful means.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἐξορύσσω (exorýssō) appears twice in the New Testament, each instance providing a vivid illustration of its core meaning in a distinct context.
1. **[[Mark 2:4]]**: "And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay."
* Here, ἐξορύσσω describes the action of the men who "broke up" or "dug through" the roof of the house to lower the paralytic before Jesus. The crowd prevented conventional access, so these individuals resorted to an unconventional and physically demanding method. This act highlights their extreme determination, resourcefulness, and faith, willing to disrupt a physical structure to bring their friend to the source of healing. The word emphasizes the forceful removal of a physical barrier to achieve a spiritual objective.
2. **[[Galatians 4:15]]**: "Where then is that blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me."
* In this passage, Paul uses ἐξορύσσω in a hyperbole to recall the Galatians' initial fervent devotion and self-sacrificial love for him. The phrase "plucked out your own eyes" (or "dug out your eyes") vividly conveys an extreme willingness to sacrifice something incredibly precious and vital, even one's own sight, for the sake of Paul and the gospel he proclaimed. This metaphorical usage underscores the radical depth of their former affection and commitment, contrasting sharply with their current wavering loyalty.
In both contexts, ἐξορύσσω signifies an intense, decisive action of removal or breaking through, driven by powerful motivation—whether it be desperate faith or profound devotion.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ὀρύσσω (orýssō) `{{G3736}}`**: The root verb, meaning "to dig." The prefix ἐκ (ek) in ἐξορύσσω intensifies this, specifying the action of digging *out* or *through*.
* **ἀνακαλύπτω (anakalyptō) `{{G343}}`**: To uncover, unveil. While ἐξορύσσω in [[Mark 2:4]] describes the destructive act of gaining access, ἀνακαλύπτω might describe the state of the roof once it was opened.
* **ῥήγνυμι (rhēgnumi) `{{G4486}}`**: To break, tear, burst. This word shares a semantic field of forceful breaking, though ἐξορύσσω specifically implies digging or tearing *out* from an embedded position.
* **ἐκκόπτω (ekkopto) `{{G1602}}`**: To cut out, cut off. Similar to ἐξορύσσω in its "out of" component and removal, but specifically by cutting rather than digging/tearing.
* **Faith and Perseverance**: The act in [[Mark 2:4]] is a testament to the perseverance born of faith, willing to go to extreme measures to reach Christ.
* **Self-Sacrifice/Devotion**: The hyperbole in [[Galatians 4:15]] speaks to the depth of love and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel and its messenger.
### Theological Significance
The word ἐξορύσσω (exorýssō), though appearing infrequently, carries profound theological implications through its vivid imagery of forceful removal and decisive action.
1. **Radical Faith and Overcoming Obstacles**: In [[Mark 2:4]], the "breaking up" of the roof symbolizes a radical, unyielding faith that refuses to be deterred by conventional barriers or physical impediments. This act illustrates that genuine faith is not passive but actively seeks to overcome all obstacles to access God's grace and healing. The "digging out" of an access point underscores the necessity of bold, even disruptive, action when seeking the Lord, prioritizing spiritual need over societal norms or physical structures. It conveys a theology where human desperation, fueled by faith, can prompt extraordinary divine intervention, demonstrating that the kingdom of God is entered through fervent and determined pursuit.
2. **Profound Devotion and Self-Sacrifice**: The hyperbolic expression in [[Galatians 4:15]] speaks to the profound, self-emptying love that characterized the early Galatian believers' reception of Paul. The willingness to "pluck out one's eyes" represents the ultimate sacrifice of something vital and precious. Theologically, this highlights the transformative power of the gospel, which can evoke such intense devotion to its messengers and, by extension, to Christ Himself. It serves as a stark contrast to their later apostasy, emphasizing the depth of their initial commitment and the tragedy of its decline. This imagery points to the radical demands and radical blessings of true discipleship, where even the most cherished possessions might be metaphorically surrendered for the sake of Christ and His kingdom.
In both instances, ἐξορύσσω conveys an intensity of action—whether to break through to Christ or to express profound devotion—that transcends ordinary effort, pointing to the extraordinary nature of divine encounter and spiritual commitment.
### Summary
The Greek word ἐξορύσσω (exorýssō), `{{G1846}}`, meaning "to dig out," "to pluck out," or "to break up," is a powerful term used twice in the New Testament to denote a forceful, decisive, and often disruptive act of removal or breaking through. In [[Mark 2:4]], it vividly depicts the radical faith of those who "broke up" a roof to bring a paralytic to Jesus, illustrating the lengths to which desperate faith will go to access divine healing. In [[Galatians 4:15]], it is employed hyperbolically to describe the initial, intense devotion of the Galatians, who would have "plucked out their own eyes" for Paul, signifying an extraordinary willingness for self-sacrifice. Across its biblical occurrences, ἐξορύσσω consistently underscores an intense motivation—be it urgent faith or fervent devotion—that propels individuals to overcome significant barriers or make profound sacrifices for a spiritual objective. It speaks to the extraordinary effort and commitment sometimes required in the pursuit of God's grace and the expression of Christian love.
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