χειραγωγέω
cheiragōgéō
G5496 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To lead or guide by the hand; primarily, to take someone by the hand and conduct them, especially someone in need of assistance to move (such as the blind, infirm, or children). The verb emphasizes direct, physical guidance with the hand, and may be used more generally for guiding or leading another person through physical contact rather than instructing them verbally.
Semantic Range
to lead by the hand, to guide (physically by hand), to conduct (someone unable to walk unaided), to escort by taking the hand
Root / Etymology
From χειραγωγός (hand-leader, guide), itself a compound of χείρ (hand) and ἄγω (to lead, bring).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, χειραγωγέω is not well-attested, but becomes more common in later and Koine usage, particularly in the sense of leading by the hand. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts where someone is literally guided by the hand, such as the blind man in Acts 9:8. The action can denote both compassion and physical support. Other Greek verbs for 'leading' (ὁδηγέω, ἄγω) have broader semantic ranges and might not imply physical contact. Standard English translations like 'lead by the hand' or 'guide' capture the basic sense, but may not always convey the specific physical nuance present in χειραγωγέω. The word is constructed and used to stress manual, bodily guidance, distinguishing it from leadership by authority, instruction, or direction. In LXX texts and non-biblical Koine Greek, it appears with similar meaning in contexts emphasizing hand-to-hand assistance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from χειραγωγός; to be a hand-leader, i.e. to guide (a blind person):--lead by the hand.
Root Family
χειραγωγ- (cheiragōgéō) — to lead, to guide, to conduct
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G5497 | χειραγωγός | hand-guides |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5496-01 |
χειραγωγούμενος | cheiragogoumenos | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
being led | being hand-led | being hand-led | 1 |
G5496-02 |
χειραγωγοῦντες | cheiragogountes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
leading | hand-guiding ones | leading by the hand | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5496-02 |
Acts 9:8 | χειραγωγοῦντες | cheiragogountes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
leading | hand-guiding ones | leading by the hand |
G5496-01 |
Acts 22:11 | χειραγωγούμενος | cheiragogoumenos | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
being led | being hand-led | being hand-led |