ἀγρεύω
I catch, capture
Definition
The verb ἀγρεύω means 'to catch' or 'to capture,' specifically in the sense of hunting or trapping. In its single New Testament occurrence, it is used metaphorically to describe the attempt to entrap someone with cunning words, as in a verbal snare. This figurative usage aligns with the literal sense of capturing an animal. The word conveys a sense of deliberate, strategic effort to seize or ensnare a target.
Biblical Usage
ἀγρεύω is used only once in the New Testament, in Mark 12:13. There, the Pharisees and Herodians are sent to Jesus 'to catch him in his words' (ἵνα αὐτὸν ἀγρεύσωσιν λόγῳ). The context is one of hostile interrogation, where the goal is not physical capture but to entrap Jesus in a theological or political statement that could be used against him. This singular usage establishes its role in describing deceptive verbal strategy.
Etymology
Derived from the noun ἄγρα (agra, G58), meaning 'a hunt' or 'that which is taken in hunting.' The verb form ἀγρεύω directly means 'to hunt' or 'to catch by hunting.' It is not derived from ἀ- (a negative prefix) plus 'greyō' as previously noted; that is an incorrect parsing. Its root is connected to the act of seizing, often through pursuit or cunning.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, ἀγρεύω is theologically significant as it vividly portrays the opposition Jesus faced. The attempt to 'catch him in his words' underscores the malicious intent of his opponents and highlights Jesus' wisdom in evading their traps. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading of Mark 12:13 by emphasizing the predatory, strategic nature of the confrontation, contrasting human deception with divine truth.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, hunting (ἄγρα) was a common metaphor for cunning pursuit or capture, applicable to debates and philosophical disputes. The use of ἀγρεύω in Mark 12:13 taps into this cultural understanding of verbal combat as a form of hunting, where clever speech acts as a snare. This differs from a modern, more neutral understanding of 'catching' someone's words.
θηρεύω (thēreuō, G2340) — also means 'to hunt' or 'to catch,' but can have a stronger connotation of pursuing like a wild beast; παγιδεύω (pagideuō, G3802) — means 'to trap' or 'ensnare,' often with a focus on the mechanism of the trap itself.
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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