Original Word: ἐγκαταλείπω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: egkataleipó
Pronunciation: eng-kat-al-i'-po
Phonetic Spelling: (eng-kat-al-i'-po)
Definition: To forsake, abandon, leave behind, desert
Meaning: I leave in the lurch, abandon (one who is in straits), desert.

forsake, leave.

From en and kataleipo; to leave behind in some place, i.e. (in a good sense) let remain over, or (in a bad sense) to desert -- forsake, leave.

see GREEK en

see GREEK kataleipo

1459 egkataleípō (from 1722 /en, "in"; 2596 /katá, "down"; and 3007 /leípō, "to leave") – properly, left in a condition of lack ("without"); hence, to feel forsaken (helpless), like left in dire circumstances.

Word Origin
from en and kataleipó
Definition
to leave behind, i.e. (in a good sense) let remain over or (in a bad sense) desert
NASB Translation
abandon (1), abandoned (1), deserted (2), forsake (1), forsaken (3), forsaking (1), left (1).

STRONGS NT 1459: ἐγκαταλείπω

ἐγκαταλείπω (Acts 2:27, 31, T WH ἐνκαταλείπω.; T also in Romans 9:29, see his note and cf. ἐν, III. 3); (imperfect ἐγκατελειπον (WH text in 2 Timothy 4:10, 16)); future ἐγκαταλείψω; 2 aorist ἐγκατέλιπον; passive (present ἐγκαταλείπομαι) 1 aorist ἐγκατελειφθην; the Sept. for עָזַב;

1. to abandon, desert (ἐν equivalent to ἐν τίνι, in some place or condition), i. e. to leave in straits, leave helpless, (colloquial, leave in the lurch): τινα, Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 from Psalm 21:2 (); Hebrews 13:5; passive 2 Corinthians 4:9; after the Hebrew עָזַב with לְ, τινα εἰς ᾅδου (or ᾅδην), by forsaking one to let hlm go into Hades, abandon unto Hades, Acts 2:27, 31 (not R). to desert, forsake: τινα, 2 Timothy 4:10, 16; τήν ἐπισυναγωγήν, Hebrews 10:25.

2. to leave behind among, to leave surviving: ἡμῖν σπέρμα, Romans 9:29 from Isaiah 1:9. (Hesiod, Works, 376; Thucydides, and following.)

Word Origin: From the preposition ἐν (en, "in") and the verb καταλείπω (kataleipō, "to leave behind" or "to forsake").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - עָזַב (azab, Strong's Hebrew 5800): To leave, forsake, abandon.
- נָטַשׁ (natash, Strong's Hebrew 5203): To leave, forsake, permit.

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the idea of leaving or forsaking, often used in contexts of covenantal faithfulness or unfaithfulness in the Old Testament.

Usage: The verb ἐγκαταλείπω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of leaving someone or something behind, often with the connotation of forsaking or abandoning. It can refer to physical departure or a more metaphorical sense of abandonment.

Context: The Greek verb ἐγκαταλείπω appears in several New Testament passages, conveying the idea of abandonment or desertion. It is often used in contexts where there is a significant emotional or relational impact due to the act of leaving.

One notable usage is found in Matthew 27:46, where Jesus, on the cross, cries out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Here, ἐγκαταλείπω is used to express the profound sense of abandonment Jesus felt as He bore the sins of the world.

In 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul uses the term to describe Demas, who "has deserted me, because he loved this present world." This highlights the personal and relational aspect of the term, as Demas's departure was not merely physical but also a turning away from shared mission and values.

Romans 9:29 uses ἐγκαταλείπω in a quotation from Isaiah, emphasizing God's mercy in not abandoning His people entirely: "If the Lord of Hosts had not left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah."

The term is also used in Hebrews 13:5, where believers are assured of God's faithfulness: "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." This promise underscores the security and constancy of God's presence, contrasting human tendencies to abandon.

Overall, ἐγκαταλείπω carries a weighty significance in the New Testament, often highlighting themes of faithfulness, relational commitment, and the consequences of turning away.

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