Greek word · G1828

ἐξέλκω

exelkō

to drag out/away

To draw or drag out, pull away. In Greek writers it is used for physically dragging something out, and in images of hunting and fishing: pulling prey from cover, hauling in a catch.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐξ-έλκω

[in LXX: Genesis 37:28 (מָשַׁךְ), etc. ;]

to draw out or away: metaphorically, ὑπὸ τ. ἐπιθυμίας, James 1:14 (see Mayor, in l).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of James 1:14

Range of meaning

To draw or drag out, pull away. In Greek writers it is used for physically dragging something out, and in images of hunting and fishing: pulling prey from cover, hauling in a catch.

Against the English

'Drawn away' (KJV, WEB) is accurate but gentle. NIV 'dragged away' brings out the force. ESV/BSB 'lured (away)' merge it with the baiting idea and lose the picture of being pulled out.

Used elsewhere in the period

This is the only use in the New Testament. Comparing passions to hunting and fishing was common in Greek moral writing, for example in Plato's 'bait of evil' (Timaeus 69d) and in Philo's repeated description of pleasure as a lure.

Where it appears

James · 1

  1. James 1:14 ἐξελκόμενος being drawn away

    But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.

    Here: Present passive participle: 'being dragged out'. It pictures prey drawn out of its safe hiding place, or a fish being pulled. The person is acted on, pulled away from where he was safe. This is the only place the word appears in the New Testament.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.