ekklao describes branches being removed from an olive tree, with the action presented as done to them.

The attested use depicts branches as removed from an olive tree: they are said to have been removed so that another might be grafted in, and their removal is linked in the clause to unbelief.

1. Branches removed from an olive tree · dominant

   All three occurrences use the same third-person aorist passive indicative plural form for branches. In Romans 11:17 the APB renders the clause "some of the branches were broken off" before describing a wild olive tree grafted in; in Romans 11:19 it renders branches as removed for grafting in, and in Romans 11:20 it states that they were removed because of unbelief.

   Romans 11:17Romans 11:19Romans 11:20

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across Romans 11:17, Romans 11:19, and Romans 11:20, the APB presents the clause with "were broken off." This wording confirms the branch-removal scene without establishing a finer distinction.