ἀγραυλέω
agrauléō
G63 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To spend the night outdoors, to live or stay out in the open, specifically in fields or rural spaces; to camp in the open air, often with reference to the activity of shepherds keeping watch over livestock at night. The term signifies extended periods or regular habits of remaining outside, apart from shelter or urban habitation. Additionally, can refer to keeping vigil in the countryside.
Semantic Range
to dwell outdoors, to camp in the fields, to keep night watch in rural areas, to live as a shepherd or herdsman away from urban settlements, to remain outside overnight
Root / Etymology
Formed from ἀγρός ('field, country, rural area') and αυλέω (connected with αὐλή, 'courtyard, fold, enclosure'), literally meaning 'to field-dwell' or 'to be outdoors at night.' The verb combines spatial and habitation senses, with the second component relating to remaining or residing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Koine Greek, ἀγραυλέω is a rare verb, chiefly attested in Luke 2:8 (where shepherds are 'living out in the fields, keeping watch') and associated Hellenistic sources. The imagery strongly evokes the pastoral life, linking both occupation and setting (rural, non-urban) and often describing extended or habitual residence outdoors (as opposed to an occasional camping trip). Its use in the LXX is exceedingly rare if present at all. The verb is more specific than verbs like παρεμβαίνω ('to encamp, pitch camp'), as it implies an open, unsheltered exposure. Later English translations typically render it 'abide in the field' or 'live out in the fields,' but this can underplay the element of open-air, unsheltered living essential to the ancient context. No significant usage is found in classical Attic Greek; it is a characteristic term of the vernacular and pastoral literature of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀγρός and αὐλέω (in the sense of αὐλή); to camp out:--abide in the field.
Root Family
ἀγραυλέω (agrauléō) — field, countryside, open space; to dwell, reside, spend the night outdoors
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G63-01 |
ἀγραυλοῦντες | agraulountes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
keeping watch | dwelling outdoors in the fields | dwelling outdoors in the fields | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G63-01 |
Luke 2:8 | ἀγραυλοῦντες | agraulountes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
keeping watch | dwelling outdoors in the fields | dwelling outdoors in the fields |