The Greek verb apōtheomai (also apōtheo) means to push away, to thrust aside, to repel, or to reject with force. The middle voice emphasizes the reflexive nature of the rejection — pushing something away from oneself. In the New Testament it is used of both Israel's rejection of God and the apostle's own self-examination.
In Romans 11:1, Paul asks pointedly: 'Did God reject his people?' — and answers with an emphatic 'By no means!' The verb's force makes the denial even stronger: God has not forcibly pushed Israel aside. The remnant theme follows immediately.
Acts 7:27 and 13:46 use apōtheomai to describe Israel's repeated rejection of God's messengers: Joseph's brothers rejected him, Israel rejected Moses, and the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch rejected Paul's proclamation. The pattern reveals a hardening of the heart that culminates in judgment — and in each case, rejection becomes the occasion for God's grace to flow to a wider audience.