ζωγρέω

I capture alive

Definition

The verb ζωγρέω means 'to capture alive' or 'to take captive while preserving life.' In its literal sense, it refers to the act of catching or seizing something without killing it, as seen in the context of fishing (Luke 5:10). Figuratively, it describes capturing someone's mind or will, bringing them under control or influence, which is how it is used in 2 Timothy 2:26 to describe people being ensnared by the devil. The word carries the dual nuance of capture and preservation, whether of physical life or, metaphorically, of a person's spiritual state for a purpose.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, each time with a distinct application. In Luke 5:10, Jesus tells Simon Peter, 'from now on you will be catching men,' using ζωγρέω to metaphorically describe the mission of evangelism—capturing people for the kingdom of God, not for destruction but for salvation. In 2 Timothy 2:26, it describes those who oppose the truth being 'captured' by the devil to do his will, indicating a negative, spiritual ensnarement. Both uses involve taking someone captive, but with radically different captors and outcomes.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek words ζωός (zōos, meaning 'alive') and ἀγρεύω (agreuō, meaning 'to hunt' or 'to catch'). Thus, ζωγρέω literally means 'to hunt or catch alive.' This compound meaning emphasizes the preservation of life upon capture, distinguishing it from words for killing or destroying. It is a relatively rare verb in ancient Greek literature, often used in contexts of war, hunting, or fishing where the prey is taken alive.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it vividly illustrates two contrasting spiritual realities: divine redemption and diabolical captivity. In Luke 5:10, it frames evangelism not as conquest for harm, but as a gracious 'capture' into the life-giving kingdom of God. In 2 Timothy 2:26, it warns of the serious danger of being taken captive by Satan's schemes. Understanding ζωγρέω enriches reading by highlighting the biblical theme of captivity—either to sin or to Christ—and the purposeful preservation inherent in God's rescue mission.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, 'capturing alive' was a concept familiar from warfare, hunting, and fishing. Prisoners of war or valuable animals were often taken alive for ransom, slavery, or display. Fishing with nets, as in Luke 5, was a common practice where fish were caught alive. This cultural backdrop makes Jesus' metaphor in Luke 5:10 powerful: just as fishermen catch fish without killing them immediately, his followers would 'catch' people, bringing them into a new realm of existence. The term implies control and a change of destiny, understood easily by the original audience.

αἰχμαλωτεύω (aichmalōteuō, G162) — to take as a prisoner of war, often in a purely martial or hostile sense without the specific nuance of preserving alive. συλλαμβάνω (syllambanō, G4815) — to seize, arrest, or conceive; a broader term for taking hold that does not inherently specify whether the object is killed or kept alive.

Word Details

Scripture References