ἀποφορτίζομαι (apophortizomai)
apophortizomai
to unload
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb apophortizomai means to unload a ship or discharge its cargo. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 21:3, where the disciples urge Paul not to go ashore. The context suggests they are concerned for his safety, but the specific imagery is nautical: sailors unloading their vessel to lighten the load.
Its meaning comes from its parts: apo (“away from”) and phortizō (“to load”). This word describes the physical act of removing weight from a ship. In Acts 21:3, the disciples’ warning uses this maritime language to emphasize the danger Paul would face if he continued his journey. The image is clear: just as a ship must shed cargo to survive rough waters, Paul’s mission might require him to avoid certain burdens or risks.
While the word itself is rare, its usage in Acts highlights how early Christians understood spiritual journeys through everyday experiences like sailing. The disciples’ concern reflects both practical wisdom and genuine care for Paul’s well-being. This single occurrence shows how ordinary actions, like unloading a ship, can carry deeper significance in biblical narratives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apophortizomai paints a vivid picture of sailors working together to lighten a ship’s load before facing rough seas. In Acts 21:3, this nautical term describes the crew unloading cargo at Tyre. It reminds us that sometimes we must let go of heavy burdens to navigate the storms ahead with greater stability and peace.
Life often feels like a voyage where carrying too much weight risks capsizing our faith. This word invites you to consider what needs to be set down so you can move forward with clarity. Whether it is worry, past regrets, or unnecessary obligations, releasing these loads allows God’s grace to carry you through difficult seasons.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unloading1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀποφορτιζόμενον1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 21:3
When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for the ship was there to unload her cargo.
This verse uses the term to describe the practical act of unloading cargo at Tyre, highlighting the disciples' concern for Paul's safety by emphasizing the need to lighten the ship's load before continuing.