The Greek word aphairéō, represented by G851, is defined as to remove either literally or figuratively. Its base definition includes actions like to "cut (smite) off, take away." It appears 11 times in 9 unique verses, illustrating its use in both physical and conceptual contexts. The word's meaning ranges from a violent, physical severing to the spiritual act of taking something away.
In the biblical narrative, G851 describes two distinct types of removal. It is used literally to describe the violent act against the high priest's servant, whose ear was cut off or smote off (Matthew 26:51; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:50). Figuratively, the word carries significant theological weight. It is used to describe how the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins Hebrews 10:4, but also for God's covenant promise to take away the sins of his people Romans 11:27. The word also appears in a solemn warning in Revelation, where God will take away a person's part from the book of life if they take away from the words of the prophecy Revelation 22:19.
Several related words help clarify the contexts in which G851 is used:
- G645 apospáō (to drag forth, i.e. (literally) unsheathe (a sword), or relatively (with a degree of force implied) retire (personally or factiously):--(with-)draw (away), after we were gotten from): This word describes the action immediately preceding the use of G851 in the scene with the high priest's servant, where a disciple drew his sword before he "smote off" the ear Matthew 26:51.
- G4685 spáō (a primary verb; to draw:--draw (out)): Similar to the above, this verb is used in a parallel account where one who stood by drew a sword and then "cut off" the servant's ear Mark 14:47.
- G3817 paíō (a primary verb; to hit (as if by a single blow and less violently than τύπτω); specially, to sting (as a scorpion):--smite, strike): This word specifies the blow that accompanies the cutting, as one who stood by smote the servant and then used G851 to "cut off" his ear Mark 14:47.
- G266 hamartía (from ἁμαρτάνω; a sin (properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful)): This is the conceptual object that is "taken away" by G851. It is central to understanding the inability of animal sacrifices to take away sins Hebrews 10:4 and God's covenant promise to do so Romans 11:27.
The theological weight of G851 is significant, highlighting key doctrines of salvation and judgment.
- Limitation of the Old Covenant: The word is used to explicitly state that the sacrificial system was insufficient, as it was "not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins" Hebrews 10:4.
- Promise of the New Covenant: In contrast, G851 is used to articulate the central promise of God's new covenant with His people, where He declares, "I shall take away their sins" Romans 11:27.
- Final Judgment and Divine Warning: The word is used to deliver a stark warning about the sanctity of scripture. Anyone who dares to take away from the words of prophecy will have God take away their part from the book of life Revelation 22:19.
In summary, G851 is a powerful verb that bridges the physical and the spiritual. It describes a literal, violent act of cutting off, as seen in the Gospels Matthew 26:51, but more profoundly, it defines the spiritual removal of concepts like sin Hebrews 10:4, reproach Luke 1:25, and, in a context of judgment, one's place in the book of life Revelation 22:19. The word effectively conveys a sense of decisive and final removal, whether by a human hand or by divine decree.
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