### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word G549 (ἄπειμι, transliterated as *ápeimi*) is a compound verb derived from the preposition ἀπό (apó), meaning "from" or "away from," and the verb εἶμι (eimi), meaning "to go." Thus, its core meaning is "to go away" or "to depart." This word denotes physical movement away from a location or a group. It is crucial to distinguish G549 from G548 (ἄπειμι), which shares the same transliteration but is derived from ἀπό and εἰμί (eimi, "to be"), meaning "to be absent." While phonetically identical, G549 signifies an action of departure, whereas G548 describes a state of absence. The semantic range of G549 is quite narrow, focused solely on the act of leaving.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word G549 occurs only once in the New Testament, found in [[Acts 17:43]]. The context is Paul's preaching in the synagogue at Thessalonica. After Paul and Silas presented the Gospel, the text states: "Now when the congregation was broken up [ἀπείμι], many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Silas: and speaking to them, they persuaded them to continue in the grace of God." In this solitary occurrence, G549 describes the physical dispersal of the assembly in the synagogue. It is a straightforward, descriptive verb indicating that the gathering concluded and the people began to leave. There is no deeper theological implication directly tied to the word itself in this context; rather, it serves to set the scene for the subsequent actions of those who believed and followed Paul and Silas. The word simply marks the end of the public meeting.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a compound, G549 is directly related to its constituent parts: ἀπό `{{G575}}` (away from) and εἶμι (to go). While εἶμι itself is not assigned a Strong's number as a standalone verb in the New Testament (its forms are often covered by other verbs of motion or are implied), its meaning is fundamental to G549. Other Greek verbs that convey the concept of "going" or "departing" include ἔρχομαι `{{G2064}}` (to come, to go), ἀπέρχομαι `{{G565}}` (to go away, depart), and ὑπάγω `{{G5217}}` (to go away, depart). G549 is a less common synonym for these more frequently used verbs of departure. The most critical related concept is the aforementioned distinction from G548 (ἄπειμι), which means "to be absent." Understanding this difference is vital for accurate interpretation, as both words are transliterated identically but possess distinct meanings and etymologies.
### Theological Significance
Due to its singular occurrence and purely descriptive function in [[Acts 17:43]], G549 carries minimal direct theological significance. It is a neutral verb of motion, not imbued with moral, spiritual, or salvific weight. Its importance lies in accurately describing a physical event—the dispersal of a gathering—which then allows the narrative to proceed to the actions of individuals who were impacted by Paul's message. The word itself does not teach a doctrine or reveal a divine attribute. Instead, it facilitates the unfolding of the biblical narrative, marking a transition point in the events at Thessalonica. Any theological import derived from this verse comes from the *response* of the hearers to the Gospel, not from the act of their departure.
### Summary
The Greek word G549 (ἄπειμι, *ápeimi*) means "to go away" or "to depart," formed from ἀπό (away from) and εἶμι (to go). It describes physical movement away from a place or group. Its sole occurrence in the New Testament is found in [[Acts 17:43]], where it describes the breaking up or dispersal of the synagogue assembly in Thessalonica after Paul's preaching. It is crucial to differentiate G549 from G548 (ἄπειμι), which means "to be absent," despite their identical transliteration. As a simple verb of motion, G549 holds very limited direct theological significance, serving primarily as a narrative descriptor for the physical act of people leaving an assembly.
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