The Greek word ápeimi, represented by G549, means to go away or simply to go. It is formed from the words ἀπό and εἶμι (to go). According to biblical usage statistics, it appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse, making its single instance a noteworthy point of study.
The sole use of G549 is found in the narrative of Paul and Silas's missionary journey in Acts. After being sent away from another city, they arrive in a new location. The scripture states that upon coming to Berea, they "went into the synagogue of the Jews" Acts 17:10. In this context, the word describes the specific action of entering a destination with a clear purpose immediately after arriving.
Several related words in the surrounding text of Acts 17:10 provide a fuller picture of this event:
- G1599 ekpémpō (to despatch): This word describes the action that initiated the journey. The brethren "sent away" Paul and Silas, setting them on their path to Berea.
- G3854 paragínomai (to become near, i.e. approach): This describes their arrival in Berea. The verse notes that "coming thither," they then took their next action.
- G960 Béroia (Berea): This identifies the specific destination of their journey, a place in Macedonia where they continued their ministry.
- G4864 synagōgḗ (an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish "synagogue"): This was the specific place they went into, highlighting their strategy of preaching first in the local Jewish assembly.
The narrative significance of G549 is tied directly to its context in the book of Acts.
- Missionary Strategy: The action of going G549 into the synagogue G4864 demonstrates the apostles' consistent method of engaging with Jewish communities first when entering a new city.
- Immediate Action: Paired with words like "immediately" G2112 describing their departure, their direct movement into G1519 the synagogue upon arrival shows an unwavering and urgent commitment to their mission.
- Purposeful Movement: The word is the culmination of a sequence: the brethren "sent away" G1599 Paul and Silas, they came G3854 to Berea G960, and then they went G549 into the place of ministry.
In summary, while ápeimi G549 is one of the rarest words in the New Testament, its single appearance is highly descriptive. It functions as a precise action verb within the detailed account of apostolic ministry in Acts 17:10. Rather than general travel, it marks the purposeful, final step of a journey, capturing the moment the apostles entered a new field of ministry.
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