Word Study for G576 (ἀποβαίνω)

apobaínō /ap-ob-ah'-ee-no/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἀπό and the base of βάσις

Meaningliterally, to disembark; figuratively, to eventuate

KJV usagebecome, go out, turn.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of apobaínō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word apobaínō, represented by G576, is derived from ἀπό and the base of βάσις. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses. Its meaning is twofold: literally, to disembark or go out, and figuratively, for an event to eventuate or become. This dual application illustrates a transition from physical movement to the resulting outcome of a situation.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its literal sense, G576 describes the physical act of getting out of a boat. In Luke, the fishermen are described as having gone out of their ships to wash their nets Luke 5:2. Similarly, in John's account, the disciples come to land after a night of fishing John 21:9. Figuratively, the word is used to describe how a set of circumstances will ultimately result or turn out. Paul expresses his confidence that his imprisonment will turn to his salvation Philippians 1:19, and Jesus tells his disciples that their persecution will turn into an opportunity for a testimony Luke 21:13.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which G576 is used:

G231 halieús (a sailor (as engaged on the salt water), i.e. (by implication) a fisher:--fisher(-man)): This term is used to identify the men who had gone out of their ships in the literal application of the word Luke 5:2.
G1350 díktyon (a seine (for fishing):--net): This word appears in the same scene, as the fishermen were washing their nets after disembarking from their boats Luke 5:2.
G4991 sōtēría (rescue or safety (physically or morally):--deliver, health, salvation, save, saving): This word is the intended outcome in the figurative use of G576, where Paul's situation will turn to his salvation Philippians 1:19.
G1162 déēsis (a petition:--prayer, request, supplication): This is one of the means by which a situation will turn to salvation, through the prayer of the believers Philippians 1:19.

Theological Significance

The figurative use of G576 carries significant theological weight, focusing on divinely guided outcomes.

Providential Results: The word illustrates that events, even difficult ones, can culminate in a God-ordained purpose. Persecution does not end in defeat but instead becomes a moment for testimony Luke 21:13.
Spiritual Transformation of Circumstances: Paul's imprisonment, a physical hardship, is expected to turn into a spiritual outcome—his salvation. This is accomplished not by human effort alone, but through the prayers of the saints and the supply G2024 of the Spirit of Jesus Christ Philippians 1:19.
From Literal to Figurative Action: The word's range of meaning bridges the gap between a simple physical act (stepping off a boat) and the complex unfolding of God's plan, where events "disembark" into their final, intended result.

Summary

In summary, G576 provides a powerful illustration of how a simple action can mirror a profound spiritual truth. While it literally describes fishermen disembarking, its more significant application is figurative, describing how circumstances eventuate or turn into a specific result. This shows that in the biblical narrative, events are not random but can be understood by their ultimate outcome, whether as an opportunity for testimony or a means of salvation.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Future Middle Deponent Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Middle Deponent: Middle in form but active in meaning.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke (2 verses); never once in the other 24.

Luke

John

Philippians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.