ἀπάγχω
I choke, strangle
Definition
ἀπάγχω is a verb meaning 'to choke' or 'to strangle.' In its active voice, it refers to the act of choking someone else. In its middle voice, as seen in its sole New Testament occurrence, it takes on a reflexive sense meaning 'to hang oneself' or 'to strangle oneself.' This specific usage is found in Matthew 27:5, describing Judas Iscariot's suicide after betraying Jesus. The word carries a strong connotation of death by constriction of the throat.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 27:5: 'And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself (ἀπήγξατο).' It appears in the middle voice, aorist tense, to describe Judas's self-inflicted death. Its singular occurrence is tied directly to the narrative of betrayal and its tragic, immediate consequences.
Etymology
Derived from ἀπό (apo, 'away from') and ἄγχω (agchō, 'to press tight, strangle'). The prefix ἀπό can intensify the meaning. The root is related to the concept of constriction or squeezing, particularly around the neck. Cognates include ἄγχω itself and the noun ἄγχονη (agchonē, 'a strangling').
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it marks the dramatic end of Judas Iscariot, a central figure in the passion narrative. His act of self-strangulation stands in stark contrast to the sacrificial, atoning death of Jesus that follows. It underscores the despair and finality of Judas's betrayal, often interpreted as the ultimate consequence of rejecting grace and succumbing to remorse without repentance. Understanding this specific Greek term highlights the gravity and violence of his chosen end.
In the Greco-Roman world, hanging or strangling oneself was viewed as a shameful and desperate act, often associated with disgrace, cowardice, or madness. For a Jewish audience, it would also carry the stigma of a violent death under a curse (cf. Deuteronomy 21:23). Judas's method of suicide would have communicated profound dishonor and hopelessness to the original readers, amplifying the tragedy of his fall from being an apostle.
πνίγω (pnigō, G4155) — a more general term for choking or drowning, often used metaphorically; ἄγχω (agchō) — the simpler root verb for strangling.
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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