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ἀναγκάζω

anankázō

G315 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To force or compel someone to do something, usually against their will or inclination, due to external pressures or circumstances; to constrain, drive, or oblige. It may imply overt force, social or legal pressure, or the inevitability of a situation that leaves no alternative; in some cases, it can denote strong moral or internal compulsion, but physical or external force is more typical.

Semantic Range

to compel, to force, to constrain, to urge strongly, to press, to oblige or require through necessity or circumstances

Root / Etymology

From the noun ἀνάγκη (anánkē, 'necessity,' 'compulsion,' 'constraint') with the verbal ending -άζω, forming a causative verb meaning 'to cause necessity,' i.e., 'to compel.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀναγκάζω refers to compelling by necessity, including binding physical, social, or moral forces. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, it most often signifies external compulsion—coercing a person through authority, circumstance, or force. In the Septuagint, the verb occurs in narratives of forced action or constraint (e.g., compelling someone to eat or travel). In the New Testament, it describes the exertion of authority or social power to induce action (e.g., compelling Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross in Matthew 27:32), or strong urging (such as inviting someone insistently in Luke 14:23). English translations as 'compel' or 'constrain' capture most uses, though in rare contexts 'urge strongly' may be appropriate. The verb does not inherently carry the idea of physical violence, but rather of irresistibility. The nuance differs from ἐπιτάσσω (to command) and more active words for coercion—ἀναγκάζω centers on necessity rather than direct command or order.

Translation Consistency

primary "compel" 3 occurrences

Anankázō most often means to force or obligate someone against their will; ‘compel’ captures that range (force, oblige, constrain) while matching the majority of attested renderings. It is natural English and can be inflected consistently for all forms of this Strong’s entry.

Alternatives (7 occurrences):
"compelled" (5x) "announcing" (1x) "compelling" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀνάγκη; to necessitate:--compel, constrain.

Root Family

ἀναγκάζω (anankazō) — necessity, compulsion, constraint

Root ἀναγκ- necessity, compulsion, constraint

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G315-06 ἠνάγκασεν enagkasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG He compelled he compelled he compelled 2
G315-09 ἠνάγκαζον enagkazon V IMPF ACT IND 1P SG I-compelled I was compelling I was compelling 1
G315-04 ἀναγκάζουσιν anagkazousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL compel they are compelling compel 1
G315-01 ἀγγέλλουσα aggellousa V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG announcing compelling announcing 1
G315-03 ἀναγκάζεις anagkazeis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG you compel you compel you compel 1
G315-02 ἀνάγκασον anagkason V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG compel Compel compel 1
G315-08 ἠναγκάσθην enagkasthen V AOR PASS IND 1P SG I was forced I was compelled I was compelled 1
G315-07 ἠναγκάσθη enagkasthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was compelled was compelled was compelled 1
G315-05 ἠναγκάσατε enagkasate V AOR ACT IND 2P PL have compelled you were compelling compelled 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G315-06 Matthew 14:22 ἠνάγκασεν enagkasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG He compelled he compelled he compelled
G315-06 Mark 6:45 ἠνάγκασεν enagkasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he constrained he compelled he compelled
G315-02 Luke 14:23 ἀνάγκασον anagkason V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG compel Compel compel
G315-01 John 20:18 ἀγγέλλουσα aggellousa V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG announcing compelling announcing
G315-09 Acts 26:11 ἠνάγκαζον enagkazon V IMPF ACT IND 1P SG I-compelled I was compelling I was compelling
G315-08 Acts 28:19 ἠναγκάσθην enagkasthen V AOR PASS IND 1P SG I was forced I was compelled I was compelled
G315-05 2 Corinthians 12:11 ἠναγκάσατε enagkasate V AOR ACT IND 2P PL have compelled you were compelling compelled
G315-07 Galatians 2:3 ἠναγκάσθη enagkasthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was compelled was compelled was compelled
G315-03 Galatians 2:14 ἀναγκάζεις anagkazeis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG you compel you compel you compel
G315-04 Galatians 6:12 ἀναγκάζουσιν anagkazousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL compel they are compelling compel
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