ἐξάγω
exágō
G1806 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To lead out, bring out from a particular place; to bring forth for the purpose of presentation, liberation, or public exposure. The basic sense is the action of moving or conducting someone or something out from one context or place to another, often with an emphasis on transferring from inside to outside, or from one group to another. In extended or metaphorical use: to free, to release, to produce or bring to the fore.
Semantic Range
to lead out, bring out, conduct from one place to another, bring forth, release from confinement or captivity, bring forth in public, lead away (with possible implication of liberation), fetch
Root / Etymology
Compound verb formed from preposition ἐκ ('out of, from') and the verb ἄγω ('to lead, bring, carry'). Thus, ἐξάγω literally means 'to lead out.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἐξάγω is attested from the classical period, used in secular Greek to describe leading people or animals out of an enclosure or into the open (e.g., soldiers from a camp, prisoners from captivity). In the Septuagint, it frequently renders Hebrew roots like יצא (yatsaʾ), especially in narratives of deliverance, such as the Exodus, where God is described as 'leading out' the Israelites from Egypt (e.g., Exodus 12:51). In the New Testament, it commonly refers to bringing someone out of a location, such as a city or a house, and also to release from custody or imprisonment (e.g., Acts 7:36, 'He led them out'). Sometimes it is used in legal or judicial settings (e.g., leading someone out to trial or to execution). English translations usually render ἐξάγω as 'bring out,' 'lead out,' or 'bring forth,' but "fetch" is rare and context-dependent. The verb can take objects both of persons (people, prisoners, disciples) and things (animals for sacrifice, etc.), and sometimes has a metaphorical dimension of liberation or making public. Compared to related verbs like ἐκφέρω ('bring out, carry out'), ἐξάγω carries a greater sense of intentional direction or leadership.
Translation Consistency
Exágō’s basic sense is moving or conducting someone/thing out from one place to another (often escorting or bringing into public view). "Lead" is the natural, single-word English verb that best captures the physical and metaphorical senses (lead out/lead forth, lead away, release/bring into view) while remaining consistent and idiomatic across all forms. "Bring" was considered but lacks the explicit sense of guiding/escorting that "lead" preserves.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκ and ἄγω; to lead forth:--bring forth (out), fetch (lead) out.
Root Family
ἐξ-, ἀγ- (exágō) — to lead, to bring
Word Forms
7 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1806-07 |
ἐξήγαγεν | exegagen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
brought | led out | he led out | 5 |
G1806-03 |
ἐξαγαγών | exagagon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
brought | having led out | having led out | 2 |
G1806-01 |
ἐξαγαγεῖν | exagagein | V AOR ACT INF |
to lead out | to lead out | to lead out | 1 |
G1806-02 |
ἐξαγαγέτωσαν | exagagetosan | V AOR ACT IMP 3P PL |
let them bring | let them lead out | 1 | |
G1806-04 |
ἐξαγαγόντες | exagagontes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having brought out | having led out | having brought out | 1 |
G1806-05 |
ἐξάγει | exagei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
leads | he/she/it leads out | leads out | 1 |
G1806-06 |
ἐξάγουσιν | exagousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
they led | they lead out | they lead out | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
12 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1806-06 |
Mark 15:20 | ἐξάγουσιν | exagousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
they led | they lead out | they lead out |
G1806-07 |
Luke 24:50 | ἐξήγαγεν | exegagen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he led | led out | he led out |
G1806-05 |
John 10:3 | ἐξάγει | exagei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
leads | he/she/it leads out | leads out |
G1806-03 |
Acts 5:19 | ἐξαγαγών | exagagon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
brought | having led out | having led out |
G1806-07 |
Acts 7:36 | ἐξήγαγεν | exegagen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
brought out | led out | he led out |
G1806-07 |
Acts 7:40 | ἐξήγαγεν | exegagen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
brought | led out | he led out |
G1806-07 |
Acts 12:17 | ἐξήγαγεν | exegagen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
had brought | led out | he led out |
G1806-07 |
Acts 13:17 | ἐξήγαγεν | exegagen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
brought-out | led out | he led out |
G1806-02 |
Acts 16:37 | ἐξαγαγέτωσαν | exagagetosan | V AOR ACT IMP 3P PL |
let them bring | let them lead out | |
G1806-04 |
Acts 16:39 | ἐξαγαγόντες | exagagontes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having brought out | having led out | having brought out |
G1806-03 |
Acts 21:38 | ἐξαγαγὼν | exagagon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
led | having led out | having led out |
G1806-01 |
Hebrews 8:9 | ἐξαγαγεῖν | exagagein | V AOR ACT INF |
to lead out | to lead out | to lead out |