from ἐκ and (to push); to expel; by implication, to propel:--drive out, thrust in.
Transliteration:exōthéō
Pronunciation:ex-o'-tho
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐξωθέω (exōthéō, `{{G1856}}`) is a compound word derived from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning "out of" or "from," and the verb ὠθέω (ōthéō, `{{G5606}}`), meaning "to push" or "to thrust." The core meaning of ἐξωθέω is therefore "to push out," "to thrust forth," or "to expel." By implication, it can also mean "to propel" or "to drive forward" with force, especially when pushing something *into* a specific location or situation. The term consistently conveys a sense of forceful, decisive action, often involving removal or directed movement. It is not a gentle leading, but a robust, sometimes violent, exertion of power.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
ἐξωθέω appears three times in the New Testament, exclusively within the book of Acts:
* **[[Acts 7:45]]**: Stephen, in his defense before the Sanhedrin, recounts the history of Israel, stating, "Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out (ἐξώθησεν) before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David." Here, ἐξωθέω describes God's divine action in forcefully expelling the pagan nations (the Gentiles) from the land of Canaan to make way for Israel. This highlights God's sovereign power, His judgment against the idolatrous inhabitants, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises to His people. The expulsion is a direct, powerful act of divine intervention in history.
* **[[Acts 16:37]]**: After being unjustly beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, Paul declares to the magistrates, "But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out (ἐξωθοῦσιν) privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out." In this instance, ἐξωθέω refers to the attempt by human authorities to secretly and discreetly expel Paul and Silas from the prison and, by extension, from the city. Paul's indignant response underscores the injustice of their treatment and his assertion of his rights as a Roman citizen. The word here conveys a forceful, albeit clandestine, attempt at removal, which Paul resists.
* **[[Acts 27:39]]**: During the perilous shipwreck voyage, the sailors, seeing land, "perceived a certain creek with a shore, into which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in (ἐξῶσαι) the ship." Here, ἐξωθέω is used in a nautical context, describing the sailors' desperate intention to forcefully propel or drive the ship towards and onto the shore. While the base meaning is "to push out," in this context, with the preposition "into" (εἰς), it signifies pushing *into* a place for safety. It illustrates a vigorous, physical effort to direct a large object under extreme circumstances.
### Related Words & Concepts
ἐξωθέω shares semantic connections with several other Greek words related to movement and expulsion:
* **ὠθέω (ōthéō, `{{G5606}}`)**: This is the base verb, meaning simply "to push" or "to thrust." ἐξωθέω adds the dimension of "out" or "forth" to this basic action.
* **ἐκβάλλω (ekballō, `{{G1544}}`)**: Meaning "to cast out," "to throw out," or "to drive out." This is a very common word in the New Testament, used for casting out demons, lepers, or people from synagogues. While ἐκβάλλω can also imply forceful removal, ἐξωθέω more specifically emphasizes the *pushing* or *propelling* aspect of the action. ἐξωθέω often suggests a more direct, physical force applied to achieve the expulsion or propulsion.
* **ἀπελαύνω (apelaunō, `{{G558}}`)**: Meaning "to drive away" or "to expel." This word also denotes removal, often by force, and can be used for driving out animals or people.
* **διώκω (diōkō, `{{G1377}}`)**: Meaning "to pursue," "to persecute," or "to drive away." While it can imply driving someone away, its primary sense is often related to pursuit or harassment.
The distinctiveness of ἐξωθέω lies in its emphasis on the direct, forceful push, whether for expulsion or for propulsion into a new location.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of ἐξωθέω in Acts, though few, carry significant theological weight:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**: In [[Acts 7:45]], ἐξωθέω powerfully illustrates God's active and decisive role in history. His "driving out" of the Canaanite nations is not a passive withdrawal but a forceful act of judgment and a demonstration of His absolute sovereignty over the land and its inhabitants. This act paves the way for the fulfillment of His promises to Israel, underscoring His justice and faithfulness. It serves as a reminder that God can and does forcefully remove obstacles to His divine plan.
* **Human Injustice and Apostolic Resistance**: The use of ἐξωθέω in [[Acts 16:37]] highlights the theme of persecution faced by early Christian missionaries. The magistrates' desire to "thrust out" Paul and Silas "privily" reveals their attempt to avoid public scrutiny for their unlawful actions. Paul's refusal to be quietly expelled is not merely a legal maneuver but a theological statement: the gospel cannot be suppressed by clandestine human efforts. It underscores the apostles' commitment to justice and their willingness to challenge unrighteous authority, even when facing forceful opposition.
* **Providence Amidst Human Effort**: While less overtly theological, the use of ἐξωθέω in [[Acts 27:39]] within the shipwreck narrative can be seen within the broader context of divine providence. Even as human agents (the sailors) exert strenuous physical effort to "thrust in" the ship to safety, the overarching narrative of Acts 27 emphasizes God's protective hand over Paul and all those with him. This illustrates that God's providence often works *through* human effort and desperate actions in crisis, guiding events towards His intended outcome. The forceful human action is part of a larger divine plan.
### Summary
The Greek word ἐξωθέω (exōthéō, `{{G1856}}`) fundamentally signifies a forceful "pushing out" or "propelling." Its etymology from ἐκ (out) and ὠθέω (to push) underscores this robust and decisive action. In the New Testament, its three occurrences in the book of Acts provide distinct yet interconnected insights. In [[Acts 7:45]], it describes God's sovereign and powerful act of expelling the Canaanite nations, demonstrating His judgment and faithfulness. In [[Acts 16:37]], it portrays the unjust attempt by human authorities to secretly "thrust out" Paul and Silas, revealing the opposition faced by early believers and Paul's principled resistance. Lastly, in [[Acts 27:39]], it depicts the urgent human effort to "thrust in" a ship to safety during a storm, illustrating the application of forceful action in a moment of crisis, often within the context of divine providence. Across these contexts, ἐξωθέω consistently emphasizes a strong, often decisive, action of removal or propulsion, whether by divine decree or human endeavor.
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