κατασύρω
katasýrō
G2694 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To drag forcibly in a downward or outward direction; in legal or hostile contexts, to seize and forcibly bring a person before authorities or into public, often with connotations of rough handling or intimidation. In extended contexts, to pull or lead someone away against their will, especially for judicial examination or accusation.
Semantic Range
to drag down; to forcibly bring (a person) before authorities; to seize and lead away for judgment or accusation; to hale; to pull away against resistance
Root / Etymology
From the prefix κατά (down, against, according to) and the verb σύρω (to drag, draw, pull), forming a compound meaning 'to drag down' or 'to drag away.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
κατασύρω is a rare but vivid verb in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, with its strongest attestation in contexts describing people being forcibly brought before authorities, typically for questioning or legal action. Its forceful imagery contrasts with less violent terms for leading or conducting, e.g., ἄγω. In the New Testament (Acts 8:3; 17:6), it describes the public and often aggressive action of dragging individuals from homes or crowds before public tribunals or assemblies, highlighting both the violence and public exposure involved. The English rendering 'hale' (to drag forcibly) somewhat captures this sense but is archaic and may obscure the risk and humiliation present in the original. The word does not appear in the classical period but arises in the Hellenistic era, likely developing from social and legal practices of public accusation. In the LXX and other Jewish-Greek writings, similar verbs (σύρω, ἕλκω) are attested, but κατασύρω in particular conveys a judicial or mob-related violence. Never used for transporting objects, it always denotes persons subjected to hostile action.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and σύρω; to drag down, i.e. arrest judicially:--hale.
Root Family
κατασύρω (katasyrō) — to drag, to pull, to draw down
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2694-01 |
κατασύρῃ | katasure | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
he drag | he may forcibly drag down | he may forcibly drag down | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2694-01 |
Luke 12:58 | κατασύρῃ | katasure | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
he drag | he may forcibly drag down | he may forcibly drag down |