ἄγρα
catching, a catch
Definition
ἄγρα refers to the act of catching or the catch itself, specifically in the context of fishing. In the New Testament, it is used exclusively for the catch of fish. In Luke 5:4, Jesus instructs Simon to 'let down your nets for a catch (ἄγραν).' The same word describes the resulting 'large catch' of fish in Luke 5:9 that astonishes the fishermen. The term emphasizes the result of the fishing effort—the haul or take.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only twice in the New Testament, both in Luke 5:4 and 5:9, within the narrative of the miraculous catch of fish. It is used in a literal, physical sense for a haul of fish. The context is a fishing scene on the Sea of Galilee, where the word highlights the extraordinary size and success of the catch following Jesus's command.
Etymology
Derived from the verb ἀγρεύω (agreuō, G64), meaning 'to catch' or 'to take in hunting or fishing.' It is related to the idea of seizing or capturing. The noun ἄγρα specifically denotes the product or result of that catching action.
Semantic Range
While a simple noun for 'catch,' its use in Luke 5 is theologically significant. The miraculous catch (ἄγρα) serves as a sign that validates Jesus's authority and provides a vivid object lesson for the calling of the first disciples. Jesus transforms their ordinary, failed fishing effort into an overwhelming success, symbolizing the future 'catch' of people they will bring into the kingdom (Luke 5:10). Understanding this term enriches the reading by connecting the physical miracle directly to its spiritual metaphor for evangelism.
In the 1st-century Galilean context, fishing was a major industry. A 'catch' (ἄγρα) represented livelihood, success, and provision. The massive, net-breaking catch described in Luke 5 would have been understood as an extraordinary, almost unbelievable event, underscoring the miraculous nature of Jesus's power over creation and his ability to provide abundantly.
δίκτυον (diktyon, G1350) — a fishing net, the tool used, not the catch itself. θήρα (thēra, G2340) — a hunt or prey, used more for hunting game than fishing.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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