Greek word · G3329
μετάγω
metagō
to turn
To lead or move from one place to another; to turn about, redirect. In the LXX it is used of moving or carrying people away (e.g., into exile, 1 Kgs 8:47).
Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
μετ-άγω
[in LXX: 3Ki.8:47-48, 2 Chronicles 6:37 (שָׁבָה) 2 Chronicles 36:3 (סוּר hi.), 1Es.1:45 Esther 2:10 Est.5:69, Esther 8:17, Sir prol.16 Sirach 10:8, 2Ma.1:33 * ;]
1. in Xen., Plut., and later writers, to transfer, transport (so LXX).
2. In sense otherwise unknown (see Hort, in l), to turn about, direct: James 3:3-4.†
(AS)
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
- Range of meaning
To lead or move from one place to another; to turn about, redirect. In the LXX it is used of moving or carrying people away (e.g., into exile, 1 Kgs 8:47).
- Against the English
"Turn" (v.3 BSB "guide"), "steer," "turned about" (KJV), "led about" (YLT). The repetition from v.3 is often lost because translators vary the English.
- Used elsewhere in the period
In the NT it occurs only here and in v.3. In the LXX and other Greek it is a plain word for moving or transferring something.
Where it appears
James · 2
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James 3:3 μετάγομεν. we turn about.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.
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James 3:4 μετάγεται are turned about
Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.
Here: "Are turned / steered around." It is the same verb as v.3 ("we turn their whole body"), which ties horse and ship together. The verb is singular because Greek normally takes a singular verb with a neuter plural subject. The present tense describes what always happens.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.