UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to let go away, to dismiss

Semantic entry: 15.43

Semantic domains: Linear Movement

Subdomains: Leave, Depart, Flee, Escape, Send

Definition: to cause (or permit) a person or persons to leave a particular location{N:001}

Sense 2: to send

Semantic entry: 15.66

Semantic domains: Linear Movement

Subdomains: Leave, Depart, Flee, Escape, Send

Definition: to cause someone to depart for a particular purpose

Sense 3: 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:002}

Sense 4: to divorce, to separate

Semantic entry: 34.78

Semantic domains: Association

Subdomains: Marriage, Divorce

Definition: to dissolve the marriage bond

Notes: Expressions for divorce are often based on terms meaning literally ‘to send away,’ ‘to separate from,’ or ‘to leave one another.’ However, in a number of languages idiomatic expressions are employed, for example ‘to send him off with his clothes,’ ‘to untie the knot between them,’ or ‘to throw away her hearthstones.’|Some persons have attempted to make an important distinction between ἀφίημι in RV CO1 7:11 · LV CO1 7:11 · Read together CO1 7:11 and χωρίζω in RV CO1 7:15 · LV CO1 7:15 · Read together CO1 7:15 on the assumption that ἀφίημι implies legal divorce, while χωρίζω only relates to separation. Such a distinction, however, seems to be quite artificial.

Sense 5: to pardon, to forgive, forgiveness

Semantic entry: 40.8

Semantic domains: Reconciliation, Forgiveness

Subdomains: Forgiveness

Definition: to remove the guilt resulting from wrongdoing

Notes: It is extremely important to note that the focus in the meanings of ἀφίημι[f], ἄφεσις[a], and ἀπολύω[e] is upon the guilt of the wrongdoer and not upon the wrongdoing itself. The event of wrongdoing is not undone, but the guilt resulting from such an event is pardoned. To forgive, therefore, means essentially to remove the guilt resulting from wrongdoing.|Some languages make a clear distinction between guilt and sin, and terms for forgiveness are therefore related to guilt and not to the wrongdoing. Therefore, ‘to forgive sins’ is literally ‘to forgive guilt.’ Though terms for ‘forgiveness’ are often literally ‘to wipe out,’ ‘to blot out,’ or ‘to do away with,’ it is obviously not possible to blot out or to wipe out an event, but it is possible to remove or obliterate the guilt.

Sense 6: to go away, to depart, to leave

Semantic entry: 15.38

Semantic domains: Linear Movement

Subdomains: Leave, Depart, Flee, Escape, Send

Definition: to depart from a place or set of circumstances, with perhaps an implication of finality or significant separation or rupture being involved

Forms: ἀπολύομαι