Greek word · G5497

χειραγωγός

cheiragōgos

hand-leader

A person who leads someone by the hand, a guide. Usually a guide for the blind.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

χειρ-αγωγός, -όν

(χείρ, ἄγω)

leading by the hand. As subst., ὁ χ., one to lead by the head, a guide: Acts 13:11.†

(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 Acts 13:11

Range of meaning

A person who leads someone by the hand, a guide. Usually a guide for the blind.

Against the English

KJV and YLT keep the plural ('some to lead him'). Most modern versions say 'someone', which smooths out the picture of him reaching out to anyone nearby.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke uses the related verb for Saul himself, blinded on the Damascus road: his companions 'led him by the hand' (χειραγωγοῦντες, Acts 9:8; compare 22:11). The verb is also used in the Greek Old Testament of blind Samson led by a boy (Judg 16:26).

Similar words

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 13:11 χειραγωγούς. one to lead by hand.

    Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

    Here: Literally 'hand-leaders', plural: anyone who would take his hand and guide him. The man who wanted to lead the proconsul away from the faith (v.8) now needs to be led himself.

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