[Greek] καταλείπω (kataleipō), [Old English] laefan, [Latin] relinquere: to leave down, to abandon, to forsake, to leave, to depart; Mt.4:13, Mt.16:4, Mt.19:5, Mt.21:17, Mk.10:7, Mk.12:19, Mk.14:52, Lk.15:4, Lk.20:31, Jn.8:9, Acts 2:31, Acts 6:2, Acts 18:19, Acts 21:3, Acts 24:27, Acts 25:14, Rom.11:4, Eph.5:31, 1Thess.3:1, Tit.1:5, Heb.4:1, Heb.11:27, 2Pet.2:15
Christ With the Woman Taken in Adultery: painting by Guercino (1621). After everyone had left, Jesus was left alone with the forgiven woman.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to leave behind, to bequeath, to forsake, to abandon, to not appear, to give up, to leave remaining, and to leave alone. This term can be used in a both in an active and passive sense. Other more nuanced meanings include leaving an heir, leaving a will, not appearing in court, keeping secrets, and leaving children orphans. Homer’s Iliad 10.238 states “And do not thou out of reverent heart leave the better man behind, and take as thy comrade one that is worse.” Plato’s Laws 5.729b states “To his children it behooves a man to bequeath modesty, not money, in abundance.” Herodotus’ The Histories 7.170 states “Micythus was a servant of Anaxilus and had been left in charge of Rhegium.” Homer’s Odyssey 3.271 states “Then verily Aegisthus took the minstrel to a desert isle and left him to be the prey and spoil of birds.” Xenophon’s Anabasis 4.2.11 states “They charged upon the hill with their companies in column, not surrounding it, but leaving the enemy a way of retreat in case they choose to use it.” Isocrates’ Antidosis 15.7 states “The only way in which I could accomplish this was to compose a discourse which would be a true image of my thought and whole life; for I hoped this would serve as the best means of making known the truth about me.”
Old Testament: This term, related to many Hebrew terms, conveys a wide range of meanings. The meanings include to remain behind, to be delayed, to be kept back, to cast off, to reject, to be left behind, to rest, to set down, to depart from, to abandon, to be desolated, to be forgotten, and to be ignored. I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now (Gen.32:4). For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me? (Psa.43:2). If any of the flesh of ordination or any of the bread remains until morning, you shall burn the remainder (Exo.29:34). The locusts came up over all the land of Egypt and settled in all the territory of Egypt (Exo.10:14). For this reason, a man shall leave his father and his mother (Gen.2:24). The Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations (Deut.4:27). The covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods (2Kgs.17:38).
New Testament: This term means to leave (depart), to imprison, to abandon (neglect), to remain, and to separate (end) family ties. Jesus was quite often on the move in His ministry. Paul is imprisoned and ultimately killed by the Roman authorities. Martha felt exasperated that Mary would be neglectful in helping her to serve the others. Assistants (deacons) were appointed to serve the needs of the widows and children who were being neglected. God (Yahweh) speaks to those faithful Israelites who remained faithful to Him. The Sadducees were attempting to trap Jesus about Jewish marital customs concerning childless widows.
Scripture:
“Martha, burdened with much serving, came to Him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” Lk.10:40
Martha was in a sense rightfully frustrated. However, Jesus points out that Mary has chosen a higher (better) calling. This may speak to a religious vocation.
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us ‘if someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.” Mt.12:19
The Sadducees were attempting to trap Jesus about Jewish marriage practices and customs. Jesus points out that they neither marry or given to marriage in heaven.
“And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So He was left alone with the woman before Him.” Jn.8:9
Jesus shows mercy and compassion to the adulterous woman. Jesus remained faithful to her. This also alludes to God remaining faithful to the Israelites.
Conclusion:
Leave, relinquish
It was interesting to discover the wide range of meanings of this term including leaving, remaining, abandoning, and neglecting. Some of the more nuanced meanings include not showing up (in court, leaving someone in charge, and keeping secrets. In military terms, this term refers to both retreating and abandoning one’s post. Exiling someone on a desert island is essentially a death sentence.
In the Old Testament, this term also refers to the remnant of God, the remaining faithful Israelites. The remnant is a major theme in the Old Testament. For purposes of this post, I really had to “leave behind” the more important aspects of this remnant. This term also brings up the interesting notion of being desolated, forgotten and ignored.
In the New Testament, this term focuses on the meaning of separation. Mary separates herself from Martha in a more important relationship with Jesus. This perhaps can be seen as a religious or consecrated vocation. Scriptures also point out that man must leave behind his father and mother to join with a spouse. Jesus points out that the married state (separates or disappears) in heaven. The priestly, religious, and consecrated states provide a visible precursor to the single state which we all have in heaven. Although Jesus often moves from place to place, He remains close and faithful to us.
Well, I will leave it at that for now.