Strong’s Greek • Noun, Feminine

G859: aphesis

ἄφεσις

Pronounced: /af-es-is/ • From G863 (aphiēmi — to send away, release, forgive)

Short Definition: Release from bondage, pardon, forgiveness of sins

Exhaustive Lexicon Definition & Theological Meaning

A sending away or dismissal of debt and transgression, echoing the Levitical Jubilee release and the scapegoat carrying sins away.

Brown-Driver-Briggs / Thayer Exegesis:

Thayer: Release from bondage or imprisonment; forgiveness or pardon of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed).

KJV Translation Usage
forgiveness (6x), remission (9x), deliverance (1x), liberty (1x)
Total Biblical Occurrences
17 Times
Asante Twi Equivalent
Bɔnefafiri (Mfomsoɔ Fafiri)

Key Biblical Occurrences

G859 (ἄφεσις) appears in these foundational scripture passages:

Ephesians 1:7Colossians 1:14Hebrews 9:22Luke 4:18