ἀπάγχομαι
apánchomai
G519 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To strangle oneself, especially to take one’s own life by hanging; more generally, to kill by strangulation. The term carries the primary meaning of causing death to oneself by means of choking or suspension, with reference mainly to suicide by hanging in available contexts. In extended uses outside the New Testament, may refer to strangulation more generally but nearly always with personal agency (either reflexive or middle voice).
Semantic Range
to strangle oneself, to hang oneself (suicide), to kill by self-strangulation
Root / Etymology
from ἀπό (“away, off”) + ἄγχω (“to choke, strangle”). The verb ἄγχω is related to the root ἀγ-, meaning 'to squeeze' or 'to choke'. The compound thus literally means 'to choke/strangle off (oneself)'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb ἀπάγχομαι is extremely rare in extant Greek literature. The most notable occurrence is in the New Testament (Matthew 27:5) in reference to Judas Iscariot, where it describes Judas ending his own life by hanging. In classical Greek, the simplex ἄγχω and its compounds more commonly refer to strangulation in both literal and figurative senses, though reflexive forms implying suicide are seldom attested. In Koine Greek, particularly in the New Testament context, the word unambiguously refers to strangling oneself to death, specifically by hanging. Unlike the English word 'hang' which can refer to forms of both suicide and capital punishment, ἀπάγχομαι does not carry judicial execution as a primary sense. English translations often render it 'hang oneself'; however, the Greek emphasizes the mechanism (strangulation/choking) as well as the self-infliction. The word is not used of accidental deaths or of execution of others. The etymology connects to one’s own agency and deliberate action. There is no evidence that it carried broader figurative senses in the period relevant to the New Testament or that it referred to other means of self-harm. Contrast with related verbs such as πνίγω (to choke, often transitive, to strangle another), and ἀνασκολοπίζω (to crucify or impale).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀπό and (to choke; akin to the base of ἀγκάλη); to strangle oneself off (i.e. to death):--hang himself.
Root Family
ἀπάγχομαι (apanchomai) — to choke, to strangle, to strangle oneself
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G519-01 |
ἀπήγξατο | apegxato | V AOR MID IND 3P SG |
hanged himself | he strangled himself | he strangled himself | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G519-01 |
Matthew 27:5 | ἀπήγξατο | apegxato | V AOR MID IND 3P SG |
hanged himself | he strangled himself | he strangled himself |