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μετακαλέω

metakaléō

G3333 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To summon or invite someone by sending for them; to call a person to come from another place, often for a particular purpose or meeting. In specific contexts, especially in narrative or legal scenes, it refers to the act of formally sending a message to request someone's presence.

Semantic Range

to summon (formally send for), to call for (a person to come), to send for, to invite, to request presence

Root / Etymology

μετακαλέω derives from μετά ('after, with, among') and καλέω ('to call, to summon'). The compound expresses the sense of calling or summoning someone 'along,' 'from a place,' or 'to oneself.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used chiefly in Koine and later Greek, μετακαλέω appears in narrative texts (such as the book of Acts) when describing formal or authoritative summons—such as a leader or official calling for individuals or groups to appear before them. The verb is less common in classical literature, where simpler forms like καλέω or συνκαλέω often suffice. The sense is concrete: physically sending for someone, not merely inviting or encouraging. In the Septuagint, it sometimes renders Hebrew verbs for summoning elders, officials, or assemblies; in the New Testament, it typically describes apostles, officials, or householders requesting someone to come to them. Standard English translations ("call for," "send for," "summon") often capture the basic intent, but may not reflect the formal or authoritative nuance present in Greek, which distinguishes μετακαλέω from the broader καλέω.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μετά and καλέω; to call elsewhere, i.e. summon:--call (for, hither).

Root Family

μετακαλέω (metakaleō) — to call, to summon, to invite, to send for

Root καλέω to call, to summon, to invite

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3333-03 μετεκαλέσατο metekalesato V AOR MID IND 3P SG called he summoned for himself he summoned for himself 2
G3333-01 μετακάλεσαι metakalesai V AOR MID IMP 2P SG call Summon for yourself summon for yourself 1
G3333-02 μετακαλέσομαί metakalesomai V FUT MID IND 1P SG I will call I will send for I will send for 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3333-03 Acts 7:14 μετεκαλέσατο metekalesato V AOR MID IND 3P SG called for he summoned for himself he summoned for himself
G3333-01 Acts 10:32 μετακάλεσαι metakalesai V AOR MID IMP 2P SG call Summon for yourself summon for yourself
G3333-03 Acts 20:17 μετεκαλέσατο metekalesato V AOR MID IND 3P SG called he summoned for himself he summoned for himself
G3333-02 Acts 24:25 μετακαλέσομαί metakalesomai V FUT MID IND 1P SG I will call I will send for I will send for
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