ἐγκαλέω (G1458) — Greek Lexicon

ἐγκαλέω

enkaléō

G1458 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To bring a charge or accusation against someone, to call (someone) to account, particularly in a legal or forensic context; to cite or summon (someone) in relation to a grievance or alleged wrongdoing. The word typically implies a formal or public complaint or prosecution before an authority, rather than an informal accusation. In wider usage it can denote 'to demand explanation' or 'to challenge' regarding a perceived offense or debt.

Semantic Range

to bring a formal charge, to accuse in court, to impeach, to call to account, to demand explanation, to cite as a debtor or wrongdoer

Root / Etymology

From ἐν ('in' or 'upon') + καλέω ('to call'); thus, literally 'to call in' or 'to call upon', especially in the sense of summoning or addressing a specific issue. The construction highlights the judicial or confrontational context of the act.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐγκαλέω is attested in legal language, meaning 'to bring a charge', 'to indict', or 'to accuse' before a court, often with the sense of bringing formal complaint rather than casual blame. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including the Septuagint and the New Testament, the word is found primarily in juridical or quasi-judicial contexts—where one is summoned or cited in connection with a claimed offense or due payment. In the New Testament (e.g., Acts, Romans), ἐγκαλέω typically denotes bringing a legal charge or accusation, often involving official proceedings before civic or Roman authorities, and the usage conveys the formal and public nature of the accusation. Standard English translations often render this word as 'accuse', 'charge', or 'bring charges', but these can lose the nuance of legal formality—ἐγκαλέω suggests more than mere verbal reproach, involving formal process or committee. In contrast to other Greek verbs such as κατηγορέω (to accuse), which may have broader application, ἐγκαλέω often emphasizes the act of issuing a formal accusation or citation for adjudication, with less focus on the specific content of the accusation than on the procedural action itself.

Translation Consistency

primary "charge" 3 occurrences

The dominant SILEX sense is a formal, legal accusation or bringing a complaint against someone. "Charge" is the most natural, concise English verb that conveys that forensic/prosecutorial force (compare "bring a charge," "impeach"). It best fits typical usage here better than the broader "accuse."

Alternatives (4 occurrences):

"accused" (2x) "formally accused" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐν and καλέω; to call in (as a debt or demand), i.e. bring to account (charge, criminate, etc.):--accuse, call in question, implead, lay to the charge.

Root Family

ἐγκαλέω (enkaleō) — to call in, to summon, to bring a charge, to call to account

Root καλέω to call, to summon, to name

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1458-05`	ἐνκαλοῦμαι	enkaloumai	`V PRS PASS IND 1P SG`	I am accused	I am formally accused	I am formally accused	2
`G1458-06`	ἐνκαλούμενον	enkaloumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	being accused	being formally charged	being accused	1
`G1458-03`	ἐνεκάλουν	enekaloun	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	they accused	they were bringing charges	they were bringing charges	1
`G1458-02`	ἐγκαλέσει	egkalesei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will bring a charge	will bring a charge	will bring a charge	1
`G1458-01`	ἐγκαλείτωσαν	egkaleitosan	`V PRS ACT IMP 3P PL`	let them bring charges	let them bring formal charges	let them bring charges	1
`G1458-04`	ἐνκαλεῖσθαι	enkaleisthai	`V PRS PASS INF`	of being accused	to be called to account	to be accused	1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1458-01`	Acts 19:38	ἐγκαλείτωσαν	egkaleitosan	`V PRS ACT IMP 3P PL`	let them bring charges	let them bring formal charges	let them bring charges
`G1458-04`	Acts 19:40	ἐνκαλεῖσθαι	enkaleisthai	`V PRS PASS INF`	of being accused	to be called to account	to be accused
`G1458-03`	Acts 23:28	ἐνεκάλουν	enekaloun	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	they accused	they were bringing charges	they were bringing charges
`G1458-06`	Acts 23:29	ἐνκαλούμενον	enkaloumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	being accused	being formally charged	being accused
`G1458-05`	Acts 26:2	ἐνκαλοῦμαι	enkaloumai	`V PRS PASS IND 1P SG`	I am accused	I am formally accused	I am formally accused
`G1458-05`	Acts 26:7	ἐνκαλοῦμαι	enkaloumai	`V PRS PASS IND 1P SG`	I am accused	I am formally accused	I am formally accused
`G1458-02`	Romans 8:33	ἐγκαλέσει	egkalesei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will bring a charge	will bring a charge	will bring a charge

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