ἀστᾰτέω G0790
To be homeless or unsettled; to wander without fixed residence
This verb describes lacking a stable home or fixed dwelling, wandering without secure residence. Originally used of soldiers out of position or order, it evolved to mean unsettled wandering. Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians to describe the apostles' literal homelessness—constantly moving, never settling, lacking the security of property and fixed address that most people take for granted.
Senses
1. sense 1 — In 1 Corinthians 4:11, Paul says 'we are homeless' (Spanish 'andamos sin hogar,' French 'sans demeure fixe' = without fixed dwelling). This describes the apostolic lifestyle: constant travel, no permanent residence, the vulnerability of perpetual migration. While others enjoyed home security, the apostles wandered like refugees, their mission requiring geographic instability. The verb captures both physical displacement and the existential rootlessness of itinerant ministry. 1×
AR["نَتَشَرَّدُ"]·ben["গৃহহীন,"]·DE["unstet-sein"]·EN["we-are-homeless"]·FR["sans-demeure-fixe"]·heb["נָדִים"]·HI["बेघर-हैं"]·ID["kami-tidak-mempunyai-rumah"]·IT["senza-dimora"]·jav["kita-ngumbara,"]·KO["정처-없다"]·PT["somos-sem-lar"]·RU["скитаемся"]·ES["andamos-sin-hogar"]·SW["hatuna-makazi."]·TR["yurtsuzuz"]·urd["بے-ٹھکانے-رہتے-ہیں"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἀστᾰτέω, to be never at rest, πόλοιο φορὰν.. -έουσανRefs; of the sea, Refs 1st c.AD+ __2 to be unsettled, to be a wanderer, NT; to be inconstant, περὶ τοὺς γάμουςRefs 2nd c.AD+