ἐξέλκω

exélkō

G1828 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To draw out, pull out forcibly; in figurative or non-literal usage, to entice or draw someone aside or away, particularly from a group or from proper conduct. The primary sense is active removal or drawing forth from one location, situation, or group to another, whether physically or metaphorically.

Semantic Range

to draw out forcibly, to drag out or pull out; to extract; figuratively, to entice, to draw away, to lure (especially into wrongdoing or away from proper conduct)

Root / Etymology

Compound of the preposition ἐκ (out of, from) and the verb ἑλκύω (to draw, pull). Thus it literally means 'to draw (someone or something) out (from somewhere)'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ἐξέλκω most often refers literally to pulling something or someone out—such as dragging a person out of a place, or extracting a weapon. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including New Testament usage, the word retains its literal sense but is also commonly used in extended, metaphorical senses—most notably in the sense of being drawn or lured away (for example, toward improper behavior). In the Septuagint, it can describe dragging someone out for punishment or exposure. In the New Testament (e.g. James 1:14), the word operates metaphorically for being 'enticed' or drawn toward temptation or sin. English translations often use 'draw away' or 'entice', but these may not fully capture the vividness of the original Greek, which implies forceful or active removal. Distinct from similar verbs like ἀνασύρω, which emphasizes physical lifting up, and from ἑλκύω, which alone simply means 'draw' or 'pull' without necessarily the aspect of 'out from'.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐκ and ἑλκύω; to drag forth, i.e. (figuratively) to entice (to sin):--draw away.

Root Family

ἐξέλκω (exelkō) — draw out, pull out, drag out, entice away

Root ἑλκ- to draw, to pull, to drag

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1828-01 ἐξελκόμενος exelkomenos V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG when he is drawn away being drawn out being drawn away 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1828-01 James 1:14 ἐξελκόμενος exelkomenos V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG when he is drawn away being drawn out being drawn away