ἀποστάσιον (apostasion)
apostasion
divorce
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun apostasion refers to a formal act of repudiation or divorce. In the New Testament, it appears exclusively in the context of marriage dissolution, specifically describing the legal document that ends a union. The word occurs only three times, all within the Gospels, where Jesus addresses the regulations surrounding marital separation.
Its meaning is anchored in the phrase "bill of divorce," a direct reference to Deuteronomy 24:1. This connection highlights the legal weight of the term; it was not merely an emotional decision but a procedural act requiring written certification. When Jesus discusses this in Matthew 5:31 and 19:7, He engages with a specific cultural mechanism that allowed a husband to dismiss his wife.
The root verb suggests stepping away or departing. This etymology underscores the finality of the action. The sources note that while the term can refer broadly to forsaking, in Scripture it is tightly bound to the certificate of divorce. Translators consistently render it as "divorce" or "certificate of divorce," preserving the legal distinction between the act and the document.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apostasion refers to the formal certificate that ended a marriage in ancient times. It was not just an emotional choice but a legal act with serious consequences for everyone involved, especially the woman receiving it. When Jesus spoke about this document, He highlighted how easily human hearts could harden and use the law to dismiss another person.
For your life today, this word reminds us that relationships are sacred trusts, not contracts to be broken on a whim. The legal finality of a divorce certificate shows how deep the wound of separation can be. We are called to honor our commitments and treat others with dignity, recognizing that every bond reflects God’s faithful love.
Jesus did not come to ignore the pain of broken marriages, but to restore the original heart of union. By understanding the weight of this word, we see how much God values peace, fidelity, and the protection of those who are vulnerable in our communities.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of divorce2×
- a letter of divorce.’1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀποστασίου2×
- ἀποστάσιον.1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 5:31
“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’
This verse shows Jesus addressing the legal requirement to provide a written document, grounding His teaching in the existing cultural practice of formal separation.
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Mark 10:4
They said, “Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her.”
Here the Pharisees question why Moses permitted the writing of this certificate, revealing their focus on the legal mechanism rather than the relational reality.
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Matthew 19:7
They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce and divorce her?”
The question highlights the tension between the command to give a certificate and the act of divorcing, showing how the document was used to legitimize dismissal.