"to limit off; to separate, sever from the rest, Mt. 13:49; to separate from society, cut off from all intercourse, excommunicate, Lk. 6:22; to set apart, select, Acts 13:2; Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:15"
Definition and meaning
to limit off; to separate, sever from the rest, Mt. 13:49; to separate from society, cut off from all intercourse, excommunicate, Lk. 6:22; to set apart, select, Acts 13:2; Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:15
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀφορίζω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of aphorizo (G873) across the King James Bible.
So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G873 (aphorizo) is a Greek word that means: to limit off; to separate, sever from the rest, Mt. 13:49; to separate from society, cut off from all intercourse, excommunicate, Lk. 6:22; to set apart, select, Acts 13:2; Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:15 It appears 9 times in the King James Bible.
The word aphorizo (G873) appears 9 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G873 is aphorizo, a Greek word defined as: to limit off; to separate, sever from the rest, Mt. 13:49; to separate from society, cut off from all intercourse, excommunicate, Lk. 6:22; to set apa. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
aphorizo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.