A Lexical Study of the Septuagint Version of the Pentateuch

intrans.: (i) 'stand back, aloof (from), Nu. 16.27 άπέστησαν
άπο της σκηνής Κορε κύκλω (ii) 'withdraw', 'depart' (from a
place) , e.g. Ge. 12.8 καΐ άπε'στη εκείθεν εις το όρος (iii)
'withdraw' (from an activity), Nu. 8.25 και άπό πεντηκονταετούς
άποστήσεται άπό της λειτουργίας (iv) 'rebel', 'revolt', e.g.
Ge. 14.4 δώδεκα ετη έδούλευον τω Χοδολλογομορ, τω δέ τρισκαι-
δεκάτω έτει άπέστησαν (ν) 'shrink, abstain 1
(from), Ex. 23.7
άπό παντός ρήματος αδίκου άποστήση. Classical examples of these
uses can be seen in LSJ. It is to be noted that the translators'
use of this word has nothing to do with systematic representa­
tion of any Hebrew word or words: in each of the examples quoted
here άφίστημι renders a different Hebrew word. 4
A particularly good illustration of the translators'
familiarity with idiomatic Greek is afforded by verbs for wash­
ing. As is well known, Greek has three words for the idea,
λούω, νίπτω (earlier νίζω), and πλύνω, each being used in a
different way. It is generally said that λούω is used of wash­
ing the whole body, νίπτω of parts of the body, especially the
5
hands and feet, πλύνω of clothes. This description, though
not incorrect as far as it goes, is inadequate, as we shall see.
Before turning to the Pentateuch it will be worth while to try
to describe their usage more accurately.
λούω presents no difficulty. It is used of washing the
whole body, especially in the middle voice: 'wash oneself,
'bathe'.
νίπτω mostly describes washing of parts of the body, but
it is also used of things: a table (with sponges) Horn. od. 1.112
οι δ'αύτε σπόγγοισι ... τράπεζας νίζον και πρότιθεν, a brick
Theoc. 16.62 ύδατι νίζειν θολεράν διαειδέι πλίνθον, a wooden
4. Viz. -no hi., nby ni., pny hi., mw gai, -pn gai, pni qal,
respectively.
5. See e.g. LSJ under all three words; TWNT IV 295 (Oepke).
The description goes back to the ancient lexicographers:
see e.g. Ammon. Diff. 274. Cf. Stephanus, Thes. Gr. Ling.
s.v. πλύνω.
6. Noted by LSJ, s.v. fin., 'νίζω is sts. used of things',
quoting od. 1.112, II. 16.229, and Theoc. 16.62.