We begin our discussion with a passage from Pa’al written in the second book addressed to the Thessalonians (Tasloniqiym Sheniy), chapter 2:
Tasloniqiym Sheniy (2 Thessalonians) 2:1-3
NOW we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our ADONAI YAHUSHA HAMASHIACH, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by ruach, nor by word, nor by cepher as from us, as that the day of YAHUAH is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
This phrase – a falling away – is the translation of the word apostasy, or in the Greek ἀποστασία apostasia (Strong's G646) While Strong’s gives us the meaning defection from truth (properly, the state) ("apostasy"), which then means falling away, or to forsake.
While we discuss this word, let us remember that this word ἀποστασία apostasia is a feminine version of the masculine word ἀποστάσιον apostasion Strong's (G647). Strong’s tells us that this word is a derivative of the word ἀφίστημι aphístēmi (Strong’s G868) which means: to remove, i.e. (actively) to instigate to revolt, to desist, to desert, etc., to depart, to draw or fall away, to refrain, or to withdraw.
Now let’s see how this word apostasion is used in the gospels:
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 5:31-32
It has been said, Whosoever shall put away (ἀπολύω apolýō) his woman, let him give her a writing of divorcement (apostasion): 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his woman, saving for the cause of fornication (πορνεία porneía, properly whoredom), causes her to break wedlock: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced breaks wedlock.
And again:
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 19:6-9
Wherefore they are no more two, but one flesh. What את eth therefore YAH has joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him: Why did Mosheh then command to give a writing of divorcement (apostasion), and to put her away (ἀπολύω apolýō)? 8 He said unto them, Mosheh because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away (ἀπολύω apolýō) your women: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you: Whosoever shall put away (ἀπολύω apolýō) his woman, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, breaks wedlock: and whoso marries her which is put away breaks wedlock.
And again:
Marqus (Mark) 10:2-12
And the Parashiym came to him, and asked him: Is it Lawful for a man to put away (ἀπολύω apolýō) his woman? tempting him. 3 And he answered and said unto them: What did Mosheh command you? 4 And they said: Mosheh suffered to write a cepher (βιβλίον biblíon, or bible) of divorcement (apostasion), and to put her away (ἀπολύω apolýō). 5 And YAHUSHA answered and said unto them: For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 But from the beginning of the creation ELOHIYM made them male and female. 7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his woman; 8 And they two shall be one flesh: so then they are no more two, but one flesh. 9 What את eth therefore YAH has joined together, let not man put asunder. 10 And in the house his Talmidiym asked him again of the same matter. 11 And he said unto them: Whosoever shall put away (ἀπολύω apolýō) his woman, and marry another, breaks wedlock against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away (ἀπολύω apolýō) her man, and be married to another, she breaks wedlock.
Now, let’s take a look at the one other place in Scripture where we find the use of the word apostasy (apostasia):
Ma’asiym (Acts) 21:21
And they are informed of you, that you teach all the Yahudiym which are among the other nations to forsake (ἀποστασία apostasia) Mosheh, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs (ἔθος éthos).
This passage could also be written that you teach all the Yahudiym (the Jews) which are among the other nations to divorce Mosheh, or to fall away from Mosheh.
However, let us consider the one passage as structured initially in the Hebrew that discusses divorce:
Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 3:8
And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Yashar’el broke wedlock I had put her away, and given her את eth-a cepher of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Yahudah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
When we review the Septuagint – the translation of Scripture from the Hebrew to the Greek by the 70 sometime around 200 BC - we find this phrase cepher of divorce translated as βιβλίον ἀποστασίου – or biblion apostasian. Here is the phrase from the Septuagint:
καὶ εἶδον διότι περὶ πάντων ὧν κατελήφθη, ἐν οἷς ἐμοιχᾶτο ἡ κατοικία ᾿Ισραήλ, καὶ ἐξαπέστειλα αὐτὴν καὶ ἔδωκα αὐτῇ βιβλίον ἀποστασίου εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῆς· καὶ οὐκ ἐφοβήθη ἡ ἀσύνθετος ᾿Ιούδα καὶ ἐπορεύθη καὶ ἐπόρνευσε καὶ αὐτή.