UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to untie, to loosen

Semantic entry: 18.18

Semantic domains: Attachment

Subdomains: Fasten, Stick To

Definition: to reverse the result of tying by untying

Sense 2: to release, to set free

Semantic entry: 37.127

Semantic domains: Control, Rule

Subdomains: Release, Set Free

Definition: to release from control, to set free (highly generic meaning applicable to a wide variety of circumstances, including confinement, political domination, sin, sickness){N:001}

Notes: In a number of languages there are problems with a somewhat literal translation of λυθῆναι ἀπὸ τοῦ δεσμοῦ τούτου in RV LUK 13:16 · LV LUK 13:16 · Read together LUK 13:16 since the expression is highly figurative. The reference, of course, is to the woman’s condition as a cripple. Furthermore, it may not make sense to speak of ‘Satan binding’ such a person, as in the first part of verse 16. In a number of languages, therefore, one may speak of ‘Satan causing the woman to be a cripple,’ and then in the latter part of verse 16, one may speak of ‘causing a person no longer to be a cripple.’

Sense 3: to destroy, to tear down, to break to pieces

Semantic entry: 20.53

Semantic domains: Violence, Harm, Destroy, Kill

Subdomains: Destroy

Definition: to destroy or reduce something to ruin by tearing down or breaking to pieces

Notes: In some languages there may be an important distinction in terms meaning ‘to destroy,’ depending upon whether the destruction is purposeful or not. A still further distinction may arise on the basis of beneficial or non-beneficial results. In RV EPH 2:14 · LV EPH 2:14 · Read together EPH 2:14 the destruction is regarded as beneficial, while in RV ACT 27:41 · LV ACT 27:41 · Read together ACT 27:41 the opposite is the case.

Sense 4: to dismiss, to disperse

Semantic entry: 15.139

Semantic domains: Linear Movement

Subdomains: Disperse, Scatter

Definition: to cause a gathering to be dismissed or dispersed

Notes: In some languages it may be more appropriate to render this expression in RV ACT 13:43 · LV ACT 13:43 · Read together ACT 13:43 as ‘when most of the people had left’ or ‘when the meeting was over.’

Sense 5: to break (a law), to transgress

Semantic entry: 36.30

Semantic domains: Guide, Discipline, Follow

Subdomains: Obey, Disobey

Definition: the failure to conform to a law or regulation, with a possible implication of regarding it as invalid

Notes: See also discussion at 36.29: παραβάτης.

Sense 6: to permit, to allow

Semantic entry: 37.47

Semantic domains: Control, Rule

Subdomains: Exercise Authority

Definition: to exercise authority over something on the basis of its being legitimate

Notes: There are a number of different interpretations of the implication of this statement in RV MAT 16:19 · LV MAT 16:19 · Read together MAT 16:19, and translators should carefully review this passage in various commentaries.

Sense 7: to do away with, to remove, to eliminate

Semantic entry: 13.38

Semantic domains: Be, Become, Exist, Happen

Subdomains: State

Definition: to cause a state to cease{N:002}

Sense 8: to cause to come to an end, to cause to become nothing, to put an end to

Semantic entry: 13.100

Semantic domains: Be, Become, Exist, Happen

Subdomains: Exist

Definition: to cause to cease to exist