Bible Dictionary
APART
Apart means separately, alone, or by oneself. Scripture also uses it for separation associated with ceremonial uncleanness and for private prayer or instruction with Jesus and His disciples.
Definition
Apart means separately, alone, or by oneself. It may also describe something removed because of ceremonial uncleanness.
Biblical Usage
In Zechariah, “apart” emphasizes the separation of families and the isolation of wives in excessive grief over the slain Messiah. Elsewhere it refers to removal for ceremonial uncleanness. In the Gospels, Jesus withdraws apart for prayer and private instruction with His disciples.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-part' (badh, "separation," i.e. alone, by oneself; niddah, "uncleanness" i.e. something put away: "an abomination"): In Zec 12:12-14 the former word is used eleven times with powerful effect to indicate the separation of families and the isolation of wives through excessive grief in Jerusalem on account of the slain Messiah. The latter word signifies removal from ceremonial uncleanness (Le 15:19; 18:19; Eze 22:10). In Greek, kat' idian, "by themselves," of marked significance as expressing Christ's desire for privacy in prayer, alone or with His disciples; either in a desert (Mt 14:13); a mountain (Mt 14:23); or a high mountain, at the time of the transfiguration (Mt 17:1,19), thus suggestive of the secrecy of prayer and communion with God. Used with reference also to Christ's disclosures of His purpose and of the purport of His teaching in private to His disciples (Mt 20:17).</p><p>Dwight M. Pratt</p>