ἐξαπο-στέλλω G1821
send out, send forth, dispatch — to send someone away with purpose, authority, or commission
Exapostello is a strengthened form of apostello, with the prefix ex- ('out') intensifying the notion of sending forth. All 13 New Testament occurrences carry the sense of dispatching someone (or something) with deliberate purpose. Luke uses it most frequently: God sends away the rich empty-handed (Luke 1:53), a vineyard owner sends servants to collect his due (Luke 20:10-11), and the early church dispatches Barnabas and Paul on mission (Acts 7:12, 11:22, 12:11, 22:21). The theological weight is clearest in Galatians 4:4-6, where God 'sent forth' his Son and then 'sent forth' the Spirit — the double use underscoring divine initiative. Spanish 'enviar,' French 'envoyer,' German 'aussenden' all capture the outward-directed commissioning force.
Senses
1. send out, dispatch (with authority or commission) — To send out or dispatch someone with purpose, authority, or divine commission — a strengthened form of apostello with the prefix ex- ('out from') emphasizing departure and mission. Key theological uses include God sending forth his Son and the Spirit (Gal 4:4, 6) and the divine commissioning of apostles (Acts 22:21). Narrative uses include sending servants to a vineyard (Luke 20:10-11), sending someone away empty-handed (Luke 1:53), and the angel releasing Peter from prison (Acts 12:11). The Longer Ending of Mark uses it for the spread of the gospel message (Mark 16:20). All 13 occurrences share the core idea of purposeful outward dispatch. 13×
AR["أرسَلَ", "أَرسَلوا", "أَرسَلَ", "أَرْسَلَ", "أَرْسَلُوا", "أَرْسَلُوهُ", "أُرسِلَت", "سَأُرْسِلُـ"]·ben["পাঠানো-হয়েছে", "পাঠাব", "পাঠাল", "পাঠালেন", "পাঠিয়ে-দিয়েছেন", "পাঠিয়ে-দিল", "পাঠিয়ে-দিলেন", "পাঠিয়েছেন", "শূন্য-হাতে"]·DE["sendet-aus", "ἐξαπέστειλεν"]·EN["he-sent-away", "sent-away", "sent-forth", "sent-out", "they-sent-out", "was-sent-out", "will-send-out"]·FR["envoyer"]·heb["אֶשְׁלַח", "נִשְׁלַח", "שִׁלְּחוּ", "שִׁלַּח", "שָׁלְחוּ", "שָׁלַח"]·HI["भेज", "भेज-दिया", "भेजा", "भेजा-गया", "भेजूँगा"]·ID["Dia-mengutus-pergi", "akan-mengutus", "dikirim", "mengirim", "mengirim-pergi", "mengutus"]·IT["exapesteilan", "exapesteilen", "mandare-via"]·jav["badhè-ngutus", "kautus.", "ngutus", "sami-ngutus-wangsul,", "sampun-dipun-konduraken", "tiyang-tiyang-ngutus-wangsul"]·KO["내보냈다", "보내리라", "보내셨노라", "보내셨다", "보내졌다", "보냈다"]·PT["despediu", "enviaram", "enviou", "foi-enviada.", "mandaram-embora"]·RU["выслал", "отослал", "отослали", "отправили", "послал", "послали", "послано", "пошлю", "разослал"]·ES["despidió", "enviaron", "enviaron-fuera", "envió", "fue-enviada", "lo-enviaron", "te-enviaré"]·SW["alimtuma", "alituma", "aliwatuma", "amewaacha", "limetumwa.", "nitakutuma", "wakamtuma", "walimrudisha", "walimtuma"]·TR["gönderdi", "gönderdiler", "göndereceğim", "gönderildi"]·urd["بھیج-دیا", "بھیجا", "بھیجا-گیا", "بھیجوں-گا", "روانہ-کیا"]
Mark 16:20, Luke 1:53, Luke 20:10, Luke 20:11, Acts 7:12, Acts 9:30, Acts 11:22, Acts 12:11, Acts 13:26, Acts 17:14, Acts 22:21, Gal 4:4 (+1 more)
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
ἐξαπο-στέλλω, future -στελῶLXX: perfect ἐξαπέσταλκα Refs 2nd c.BC+:—dispatch, πρεσβευτάς Refs 2nd c.BC+; βιβλίον τινί Refs 2nd c.BC+:—passive, to be dispatched, Philipp. cited in Refs 4th c.BC+; ὑπό τινων Refs; ἐξαπεσταλμένοι μάχεσθαι Aristeas 13; also ἡμῶν ὁ λόγος -εστάλη NT __2 send forth, [δαίμων] -στέλλων ὕδατα καὶ ἀνέμους Refs __3 of prisoners, send before a tribunal, ἐ. τινὰ δέσμιον πρός…