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ἀπάγω

apágō

G520 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To lead or take away from a place, to remove, usually with a sense of separation from an original position or group. In various contexts, ἀπάγω can mean to lead away physically (as in arresting or removing someone), to carry off (as in taking captive), or, by extension, to take away for execution (to put to death). The term is used predominantly with reference to people being led away—by authority, for punishment, or into captivity—but in some contexts can denote the act of removing or carrying away more generally.

Semantic Range

to lead away, to carry off, to remove, to take away (people or things), to arrest, to bring (someone) to trial or judgment, to lead away to execution or punishment, to carry off into captivity

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἀπό (from, away from) and the verb ἄγω (to lead, to bring). It is a compound verb indicating movement from a place or state by leading or carrying.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ἀπάγω is used for leading or bringing someone away from a place, sometimes neutrally (escort, guide), sometimes in a legal or forcible context (arrest, deport). In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term often appears with judicial or coercive connotations, such as being led away to prison, judgment, or execution (especially by authorities). In the New Testament, it can specifically refer to the act of leading someone away with the implication of impending punishment or death (e.g., Jesus being led to crucifixion). The standard English translations such as 'lead away,' 'take away,' or 'carry off' capture the central action but may not always express the frequent underlying sense of official or forcible removal indicated in many Koine contexts.

Translation Consistency

primary "lead" 4 occurrences

'Lead' best captures the typical force and directionality of ἀπάγω—physically or officially taking someone away (led, leading, bring to trial, lead to execution or captivity). It is the most natural, versatile single-word English equivalent for the predominant sense in the data (most occurrences render as 'led'), and it inflects cleanly for the various forms (lead, led, leading) used in context. Alternatives like 'take' or 'carry off' are slightly less precise about escort/authority or are multiword; 'lead' therefore gives consistent, natural renderings across forms.

Alternatives (13 occurrences):
"led away" (11x) "having led away" (1x) "took away" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀπό and ἄγω; to take off (in various senses):--bring, carry away, lead (away), put to death, take away.

Root Family

ἀπάγω (apagō) — to lead, to bring, to carry; to lead away, to remove

Root ἀγ- to lead, to bring, to carry

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G520-09 ἀπήγαγον apegagon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they led they led away they led away 8
G520-07 ἀπάγουσα apagousa V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG that leads leading away leading away 2
G520-06 ἀπαγομένους apagomenous V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M PL being brought being led away being led away 1
G520-01 ἀπαχθῆναι apachthenai V AOR PASS INF to be led away to be led away to be led away 1
G520-08 ἀπήγαγε apegage V AOR ACT IND 3P SG took away he led away took away 1
G520-05 ἀπαγόμενοι apagomenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL being carried away being led away being led away 1
G520-02 ἀπαγαγὼν apagagon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG lead away having led away having led away 1
G520-04 ἀπάγετε apagete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL lead away Lead away! lead away 1
G520-03 ἄπαγε apage V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG Bring Lead away! Lead away 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G520-07 Matthew 7:13 ἀπάγουσα apagousa V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG that leads leading away leading away
G520-07 Matthew 7:14 ἀπάγουσα apagousa V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG leading leading away leading away
G520-09 Matthew 26:57 ἀπήγαγον apegagon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL led they led away they led away
G520-09 Matthew 27:2 ἀπήγαγον apegagon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they led away they led away they led away
G520-09 Matthew 27:31 ἀπήγαγον apegagon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they led they led away they led away
G520-04 Mark 14:44 ἀπάγετε apagete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL lead away Lead away! lead away
G520-09 Mark 14:53 ἀπήγαγον apegagon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they led they led away they led away
G520-09 Mark 15:16 ἀπήγαγον apegagon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL led they led away they led away
G520-02 Luke 13:15 ἀπαγαγὼν apagagon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG lead away having led away having led away
G520-06 Luke 21:12 ἀπαγομένους apagomenous V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M PL being brought being led away being led away
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