ἀπογράφω (G583) — Greek Lexicon

ἀπογράφω

apográphō

G583 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To register or record formally, typically by writing down the names of individuals in an official list. The verb emphasizes the official and systematic nature of the action—such as entering names on census rolls, tax lists, or other public registers. In various contexts, ἀπογράφω may refer specifically to the act of enrolling residents for administrative, fiscal, or legal purposes.

Semantic Range

to enroll (in a census or register), to write in a list, to record names officially, to register property, to transcribe into a public record

Root / Etymology

From ἀπό (away, off) and γράφω (to write), literally 'to write off' or 'to transcribe'; the compound denotes writing out or entering into an official record.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἀπογράφω is used primarily in administrative and legal contexts for the formal act of recording or enrolling—such as census-taking or property registration—and there are abundant papyrological attestations from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods in Egypt relating to censuses, taxation, and legal documentation. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the verb commonly refers to state-sponsored registrations, most notably in the context of census or taxation decrees (cf. Luke 2:1–5). The English Bible translations often render ἀπογράφω with terms like 'enrol,' 'register,' or 'tax,' but can obscure the word’s administrative character, as both fiscal and civic registration could be involved (not necessarily direct taxation). Notably, the action is typically done under governmental authority and reflects Greco-Roman bureaucratic practices. The meaning remains consistent across LXX and NT usage, with occasional extension to include legal listings in contracts or official records outside biblical contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀπό and γράφω; to write off (a copy or list), i.e. enrol:--tax, write.

Root Family

ἀπογράφω (apographō) — to write, to record, to register formally

Root γραφ- to write, to record, to register

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G583-02`	ἀπογράφεσθαι	apographesthai	`V PRS MID INF`	to be registered	to enroll oneself	to be registered	2
`G583-03`	ἀπογράψασθαι	apograpsasthai	`V AOR MID INF`	to register	to register oneself	to register oneself	1
`G583-01`	ἀπογεγραμμένων	apogegrammenon	`V PRF PASS PTCP GEN M PL`	who are enrolled	of those having been registered	having been registered	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G583-02`	Luke 2:1	ἀπογράφεσθαι	apographesthai	`V PRS MID INF`	to be registered	to enroll oneself	to be registered
`G583-02`	Luke 2:3	ἀπογράφεσθαι	apographesthai	`V PRS MID INF`	to be registered	to enroll oneself	to enroll oneself
`G583-03`	Luke 2:5	ἀπογράψασθαι	apograpsasthai	`V AOR MID INF`	to register	to register oneself	to register oneself
`G583-01`	Hebrews 12:23	ἀπογεγραμμένων	apogegrammenon	`V PRF PASS PTCP GEN M PL`	who are enrolled	of those having been registered	having been registered

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