ἀγέλη

a flock, herd

Definition

ἀγέλη refers to a group of animals kept together, specifically a herd or flock. In the New Testament, it is used exclusively for a herd of pigs (swine), as seen in the accounts of Jesus casting demons into a herd of pigs near the region of the Gerasenes (Matthew 8:30-32, Mark 5:11-13, Luke 8:32-33). The word emphasizes the animals as a collective unit under care or management, though in these passages, the herd becomes the dramatic vehicle for the demons' destruction.

Biblical Usage

This noun appears seven times, all within the parallel Synoptic Gospel accounts of the same event: the exorcism of the demon-possessed man (or men) in the country of the Gerasenes. In each instance (Matthew 8:30, 31, 32; Mark 5:11, 13; Luke 8:32, 33), the word describes the 'herd of many swine' into which the unclean spirits are sent, resulting in the herd's rush into the sea. Its usage is thus highly specific and narrative-driven, serving a crucial plot function in demonstrating Jesus's authority over the spiritual realm.

Etymology

Derived from the verb ἄγω (agō, G71) meaning 'to lead' or 'to bring.' An ἀγέλη is, therefore, fundamentally 'that which is led' or a 'driven group.' This root connection highlights the word's inherent sense of animals collected and moved together under guidance, which fits its biblical context of a managed herd.

Semantic Range

While ἀγέλη itself is a common noun, its specific use in the Gospels carries theological weight. The herd of pigs, unclean animals under Jewish law (Leviticus 11:7), becomes the permitted destination for the unclean spirits, showcasing Jesus's sovereign command over both the spiritual and natural worlds. The destruction of the herd visually demonstrates the destructive nature and ultimate end of demonic forces, while also provoking a response from the local populace, highlighting the cost and disruption that can accompany the arrival of God's kingdom.

In the Greco-Roman world, an ἀγέλη was a standard term for a herd of livestock, such as cattle, horses, or pigs. For the original Jewish audience and authors, the specific mention of a pig herd would have immediately signaled a Gentile setting, as pigs were considered ritually unclean and were not raised by observant Jews (Leviticus 11:7, Deuteronomy 14:8). This detail culturally locates the miracle in a non-Jewish area and adds a layer of symbolic defilement to the narrative.

ποίμνιον (poimnion, G4167) — A flock, especially of sheep or goats; often used metaphorically for God's people (e.g., Luke 12:32, Acts 20:28-29), whereas ἀγέλη is never used metaphorically and specifies a herd. πρόβατον (probaton, G4263) — A sheep; refers to the individual animal within a flock, not the collective group.

Word Details

Scripture References