ἐλαύνω
elaúnō
G1643 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To drive, set in motion, or propel something forward; primary lexical meaning is 'to drive' in the sense of causing movement or progress by force or means. May refer to the physical act of propelling a vehicle (such as a chariot or ship), urging animals forward, or driving forward an activity or process. In later and metaphorical contexts, can denote being impelled or moved by a force or influence, including natural (wind), human (rowing), or non-physical (spirit or power).
Semantic Range
to drive (animals, vehicles), propel (by oars, wind), urge forward, row, carry or be carried along, impel (by force or influence)
Root / Etymology
Greek root ἐλαυ-; derived from older Greek ἐλαύνω. The origin prior to Greek is uncertain; related to the general Indo-European sense of driving or urging forward.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, ἐλαύνω was commonly used for driving horses, cattle, or chariots, as well as for driving or propelling a ship (especially with oars). In the Koine period, including the Septuagint and New Testament, its usage narrowed and often referred to: (a) rowing a ship (to move by rowing), as in Acts 27:15,17; (b) being driven (by wind or other force), at times in passive forms indicating a lack of control (e.g. ships driven by storm); and (c) metaphorically, to indicate someone or something being impelled by a non-material force. The verb becomes less frequent outside set expressions in Koine, often replaced by other common verbs for movement or control. Standard English translations such as “drive,” “carry,” or “row” capture only portions of its semantic range. Not typically used of driving people (in the sense of leading or ruling), but rather of the technical motion of propelling or pushing onward, whether by animal, human, or natural means. Unlike ἄγω (to lead, bring), ἐλαύνω consistently retains a sense of forceful propulsion or movement.
Translation Consistency
“Drive” is the most natural, common English verb that covers the primary senses of ἐλαύνω — causing movement of animals or vehicles, propelling (including by wind or oars), and metaphorical impelling (being driven). It is simple, versatile, and fits the typical contextual uses in biblical Greek.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a prolonged form of a primary verb (obsolete except in certain tenses as an alternative of this) of uncertain affinity; to push (as wind, oars or dæmonical power):--carry, drive, row.
Root Family
ἐλαυ- (elaúnō) — to drive, to urge forward, to propel
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1643-01 |
ἐλαύνειν | elaunein | V PRS ACT INF |
rowing | to drive forward | to drive forward | 1 |
G1643-02 |
ἠλαύνετο | elauneto | V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG |
was driven | was being driven | by | 1 |
G1643-03 |
ἐλαυνόμενα | elaunomena | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM N PL |
driven | being driven | being driven | 1 |
G1643-04 |
ἐλαυνόμεναι | elaunomenai | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F PL |
driven | being driven | being driven | 1 |
G1643-05 |
ἐληλακότες | elelakotes | V PRF ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having rowed | having driven | having rowed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1643-01 |
Mark 6:48 | ἐλαύνειν | elaunein | V PRS ACT INF |
rowing | to drive forward | to drive forward |
G1643-02 |
Luke 8:29 | ἠλαύνετο | elauneto | V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG |
was driven | was being driven | by |
G1643-05 |
John 6:19 | ἐληλακότες | elelakotes | V PRF ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having rowed | having driven | having rowed |
G1643-03 |
James 3:4 | ἐλαυνόμενα | elaunomena | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM N PL |
driven | being driven | being driven |
G1643-04 |
2 Peter 2:17 | ἐλαυνόμεναι | elaunomenai | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F PL |
driven | being driven | being driven |