English · KJV
G674

ἀποψύχω

apopsýchō /ap-ops-oo'-kho/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ἀπό and ψύχω
Meaningto breathe out, i.e. faint
KJV usagehearts failing.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of apopsýchō — 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 apopsýchō, represented by G674, is defined as to breathe out, i.e. faint. It is formed from the words ἀπό and ψύχω. The term appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, where it is translated as "hearts failing."

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single biblical use of G674 is found in a prophetic context describing future distress. In Luke 21:26, it portrays a scene of immense terror where "Men's hearts failing them for fear." This state of fainting or collapse is a direct reaction to the anticipation of calamitous events coming upon the earth, specifically when "the powers of heaven shall be shaken" Luke 21:26.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Greek words help to contextualize the meaning of G674:

  • G5401 phóbos (alarm or fright): This word is directly linked to G674 in its only scriptural appearance, identifying fear as the cause for men's hearts failing Luke 21:26.
  • G4531 saleúō (to waver, i.e. agitate, rock, topple): This describes the cosmic disturbance that prompts the fear. The heavens themselves will be shaken, an event that triggers the response of G674 Luke 21:26.
  • G444 ánthrōpos (man-faced, i.e. a human being): This specifies who is affected. It is man whose heart fails in this moment of dread, highlighting a universal human response Luke 21:26. The term is used broadly, for instance, in the title "Son of man" Luke 19:10.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G674 is concentrated in its singular, powerful appearance.

  • Eschatological Dread: The word is used exclusively to describe the reaction to end-times events. The "failing" of hearts is a physical and psychological response to seeing the foundational elements of creation being shaken Luke 21:26.
  • The Power of Fear: The verse underscores that extreme fear G5401 can have a physical, life-threatening effect. The fainting of the heart is not just an emotional state but a profound collapse of human spirit and vitality when faced with overwhelming terror.
  • Human Frailty: The term highlights the limits of human endurance when confronted with divine power and cosmic judgment. It shows man G444 in a state of utter helplessness, unable to withstand the signs of the end.

Summary

In summary, G674 apopsýchō is a specific and potent term whose meaning is defined by its sole biblical context. It describes the ultimate state of human terror, where a person's life force seems to ebb away in response to overwhelming fear. Its placement in Luke 21:26 forever ties it to the eschatological dread that precedes the final judgment, vividly illustrating the reaction of humanity when the very powers of heaven are shaken.

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 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Present Active Participle Genitive Plural Masculine 1×
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G5401 φόβος from a primary (to be put in fear); alarm or fright:--be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror. G4531 σαλεύω from σάλος; to waver, i.e. agitate, rock, topple or (by implication) destroy; figuratively, to disturb, incite:--move, s G444 ἄνθρωπος from ἀνήρ and (the countenance; from ὀπτάνομαι); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.

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

1 verse, all in Luke — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

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.