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γράφω

gráphō

G1125 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To inscribe or engrave by means of marking with a tool or substance; in most contexts, to write characters, letters, or words onto a material substrate such as papyrus, parchment, or wax; by extension, to compose or author a written document. In extended uses, to record, to note down, or to determine or prescribe by writing (e.g. a decree or law). Certain figurative senses include 'to describe' or 'to make known in writing.'

Semantic Range

to write, to inscribe, to engrave, to compose, to author, to record, to register, to describe, to prescribe (in writing), to make known by writing

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root γράφ-, present in γράφω (to write), γραφή (writing, scripture), γραμμα (letter), and related words. Cognate with the verb in earlier dialects of Greek; ultimately of Indo-European origin, root *gerbh- (to scratch, carve).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, γράφω originally signified 'to engrave' or 'to scratch' (e.g., on wood, stone, wax), reflecting writing technologies of the period. Over time, as writing technologies evolved, the verb's sense shifted predominantly to 'write' with ink on papyrus or parchment. In Koine Greek, particularly in the Septuagint and New Testament, γράφω adopts the primary meaning 'to write' in the sense of recording letters, words, or documents. It is the standard term for authoring or copying written texts. The perfect tense (γέγραπται) often means 'it is written,' frequently invoking authoritative scriptural citation or legal status, similar to the Hebrew כָּתוּב (katûb, 'it is written'). Additionally, in legal and bureaucratic contexts, γράφω can mean to register, record, or prescribe something in a formal document. English translations such as 'write' or 'describe' generally capture the main sense but may obscure the physical aspect of inscribing with a tool in early usages. Contrast with terms such as διηγέομαι (to narrate orally) or λέγω (to say), which emphasize spoken communication rather than written. In later Greek, derivatives of γράφω expand into meanings like 'to draw' or 'graphic.'

Translation Consistency

primary "write" 189 occurrences

γράφω’s basic and most common semantic range is to produce writing: inscribe, record, compose, or register. “Write” is the natural, simple English verb that covers literal and extended senses (author, record, prescribe, be written) and will read naturally in active and passive contexts across all forms.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"those having been inscribed" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).

Root Family

γράφω (graphō) — to scratch, to inscribe, to write

Root γράφ- to scratch, to inscribe, to write

Word Forms

29 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1125-14 γέγραπται gegraptai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG it is written it has been inscribed it has been written 67
G1125-02 ἔγραψα egrapsa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I have written I wrote I wrote 19
G1125-11 γεγραμμένον gegrammenon V PRF PASS PTCP NOM N SG written having been inscribed having been written 19
G1125-29 γράψον grapson V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG Write Write Write 14
G1125-20 γράφω grapho V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I write I am writing I am writing 13
G1125-05 ἔγραψεν egrapsen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG wrote wrote wrote 8
G1125-17 γράφειν graphein V PRS ACT INF to write to inscribe, to write to write 7
G1125-06 γεγραμμένα gegrammena V PRF PASS PTCP NOM N PL written having been inscribed having been written 7
G1125-24 γράψαι grapsai V AOR ACT INF to write to inscribe to write 5
G1125-01 ἐγράφη egraphe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG it was written it was inscribed it was written 4

Occurrences in Scripture

190 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1125-14 Matthew 2:5 γέγραπται gegraptai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG it is written it has been inscribed it has been written
G1125-14 Matthew 4:4 γέγραπται gegraptai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG It is written it has been inscribed it has been written
G1125-14 Matthew 4:6 γέγραπται gegraptai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG it is written it has been inscribed it has been written
G1125-14 Matthew 4:7 γέγραπται gegraptai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG it is written it has been inscribed it has been written
G1125-14 Matthew 4:10 γέγραπται gegraptai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG it is written it has been inscribed it has been written
G1125-14 Matthew 11:10 γέγραπται gegraptai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG it is written it has been inscribed it has been written
G1125-14 Matthew 21:13 γέγραπται gegraptai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG it-has-been-written it has been inscribed it has been written
G1125-14 Matthew 26:24 γέγραπται gegraptai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG it-is-written it has been inscribed it has been written
G1125-14 Matthew 26:31 γέγραπται gegraptai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG it is written it has been inscribed it has been written
G1125-08 Matthew 27:37 γεγραμμένην gegrammenen V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F SG written having been written written
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