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δελεάζω

deleázō

G1185 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To lure or entice by bait, to draw in through deceptive attraction; in broader contexts, to tempt, seduce, or mislead by presenting something desirable, often involving an underlying sense of trickery or guile. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, typically used in figurative senses of leading or enticing someone to do something through misleading or manipulative means.

Semantic Range

to bait, to lure, to entice by bait, to seduce, to tempt, to lead astray through attraction, to manipulate through allurement

Root / Etymology

From the base of δόλος (dolos, 'craft, deceit, bait'), likely drawing on imagery of trapping or fishing using bait. The verb is causative, meaning to cause someone to approach or be drawn in by means of a lure or enticement.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δελεάζω is rare and primarily appears in Hellenistic and Koine writings, particularly with the sense of enticing or deceiving by offering some form of bait. The term appears twice in the New Testament (2 Peter 2:14, 18), where it is used metaphorically for enticing or seducing others into error or immoral behavior. The underlying imagery is that of luring fish with bait, but in almost all post-classical uses, the term refers figuratively to manipulating people through appealing or deceptive propositions. The sense of malicious or cunning intent is often implied. Standard English translations (e.g., 'entice,' 'allure,' 'seduce') may not clearly convey the idea of underlying deception intrinsic to the term; 'beguile' can capture this nuance more closely, but in older English. Outside the New Testament, the term is attested in later writings with similar connotations. In comparison, related terms such as πειράζω ('to test, tempt') or ἀπατάω ('to deceive') focus more on the act or intent itself, whereas δελεάζω specifically denotes enticement through some promise or lure.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the base of δόλος; to entrap, i.e. (figuratively) delude:--allure, beguile, entice.

Root Family

δελε- (deleázō) — to bait, to lure, to entice

Root δελε- to bait, to lure, to entice

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1185-01 δελεαζόμενος deleazomenos V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG enticed being lured by bait being lured 1
G1185-02 δελεάζοντες deleazontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL seducing those luring luring 1
G1185-03 δελεάζουσιν deleazousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL they entice they are luring they entice 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1185-01 James 1:14 δελεαζόμενος deleazomenos V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG enticed being lured by bait being lured
G1185-02 2 Peter 2:14 δελεάζοντες deleazontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL seducing those luring luring
G1185-03 2 Peter 2:18 δελεάζουσιν deleazousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL they entice they are luring they entice
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