WG: Forsake / Leave Behind¶
Overview¶
The Greek NT uses several compounds of the λειπ- (leip-, "leave") root to express abandonment and desertion. These words are differentiated by their prefixes, which shade the meaning from neutral departure to intensified relational abandonment. The Aramaic σαβαχθάνι appears exclusively alongside ἐγκαταλείπω in the cry of dereliction.
Word Group Members¶
| Strong's | Word | Transliteration | POS | Occurrences | Role in Concept | Library Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1459 | ἐγκαταλείπω | enkataleipō | verb | 9 | Intensified abandonment — "leave down in" a place/situation | G1459 |
| G863 | ἀφίημι | aphiēmi | verb | 133 | Broad "send away" — includes forsaking but also forgiving, permitting | G863 |
| G2641 | καταλείπω | kataleipō | verb | 25 | Physical/spatial "leave behind" — neutral departure tone | TODO(need G2641 study) |
| G620 | ἀπολείπω | apoleipō | verb | 6 | "Leave remaining" — focus on what remains, not the leaving | G620 |
| G4518 | σαβαχθάνι | sabachthani | Aramaism | 2 | Aramaic "thou hast left me" — transliteration of Ps 22:1 | TODO(need G4518 study) |
Relationships¶
Shared Root¶
- G1459 (enkataleipō), G2641 (kataleipō), G620 (apoleipō), G3007 (leipō) — all from root λείπω "to leave"
- G863 (aphiēmi) — from ἵημι "to send," not λείπω, but overlaps in KJV translation
- G4518 (sabachthani) — Aramaic שְׁבַקְתַּנִי (shebaqtani), from שְׁבַק (shebaq, "leave/forsake")
Co-occurrence (appear in same verses)¶
| Word A | Word B | Shared Verses | Typical Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1459 enkataleipō | G4518 sabachthani | 2x | Matt 27:46, Mark 15:34 — Aramaic cry with Greek translation |
| G863 aphiēmi | G2641 kataleipō | 1x | Mark 12:19 — Levirate marriage "leave his wife" |
Shared Hebrew Source (LXX Bridge)¶
All three λειπ- compounds translate Hebrew H5800 עָזַב (ʻazab, "forsake"): - G1459 enkataleipō ← H5800 azab: 123 co-occurrences (PMI 31.81) - G2641 kataleipō ← H5800 azab: 47 co-occurrences (PMI 18.11) - G863 aphiēmi ← H5800 azab: 9 co-occurrences (PMI 8.70)
This shows that G1459 is the dominant Greek rendering of azab in the LXX, making it the strongest continuation of OT "forsaking" language into the NT.
Roles in the Concept¶
- Intensified abandonment: G1459 enkataleipō — relational betrayal, desertion in time of need (Matt 27:46, 2 Tim 4:10, 16)
- Broad release: G863 aphiēmi — "let go" in many senses; forsaking is only one use among forgiveness, permission, dismissal
- Spatial departure: G2641 kataleipō — "leave behind" physically; neutral, can be positive (Gen 2:24 "leave father and mother")
- Residual remainder: G620 apoleipō — emphasis on what is left over; Paul's cloak, a sick companion
- Aramaic witness: G4518 sabachthani — preserves the original-language cry; always paired with G1459
Key Passages Where Multiple Group Words Appear Together¶
- Matt 27:46 / Mark 15:34 — G1459 + G4518: "lama sabachthani — why hast thou forsaken me"
Generated from: gather_word_group_data.py, search_strongs.py Last updated: 2026-05-03