ἀποπλανάω
apoplanáō
G635 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To lead away from a path or standard, to cause someone to go astray literally or figuratively; to mislead, deceive, or seduce into error or false belief. In passive or reflexive forms, to wander from, to stray, to be led astray from what is right or true.
Semantic Range
to lead astray, to cause to wander or stray, to mislead, to seduce, to cause to err, to be led astray (pass.), to stray from truth, to be deceived
Root / Etymology
From ἀπό (from, away from) and πλανάω (to cause to wander, to lead astray). The compound intensifies the sense of going astray, emphasizing separation from a standard or direction.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἀποπλανάω is not frequent, but where attested it denotes causing someone (or oneself, in passive/middle) to wander or deviate from a correct path, either physically or metaphorically. In the Septuagint and Koine sources, it takes on a primarily metaphorical meaning: a person or group being led away from truth, virtue, or faithfulness (e.g., from correct teaching, ethical behavior, or allegiance). In the New Testament (e.g., Mark 13:22), it emphasizes the act of deception, not merely innocent wandering but often with the implication of a malicious or misleading agent. Standard English translations, such as "err," "be led astray," or "seduce," do not always capture the sense of willful misdirection implicit in the verb. Contrasts with πλανάω, which can more simply mean "to wander," whereas ἀποπλανάω stresses the aspect of being led away or diverted from a set course or truth. The term is typically used in contexts warning against false teachers, prophets, or teachings that pull someone away from correct doctrine or community.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀπό and πλανάω; to lead astray (figuratively); passively, to stray (from truth):--err, seduce.
Root Family
πλανάω (apoplanáō) — to wander, to lead astray, to deceive
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G635-01 |
ἀπεπλανήθησαν | apeplanethesan | V AOR PASS IND 3P PL |
have strayed | they were led astray | they were led astray | 1 |
G635-02 |
ἀποπλανᾶν | apoplanan | V PRS ACT INF |
to lead astray | to lead away into error | to lead away into error | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G635-02 |
Mark 13:22 | ἀποπλανᾶν | apoplanan | V PRS ACT INF |
to lead astray | to lead away into error | to lead away into error |
G635-01 |
1 Timothy 6:10 | ἀπεπλανήθησαν | apeplanethesan | V AOR PASS IND 3P PL |
have strayed | they were led astray | they were led astray |